[EAS] Questions raised after Dallas TV station airs NFL game instead of breaking tornado coverage

[Sean Donelan]

A difficult decision, and reminder the puiblic watching a broadcast 
outlet won't know to check or change the channel until after they 
get an alert.  If a broadcast outlet doesn't warn its viewers or 
listeners, those members of the public don't know to make their 
own choice whether to change channels. NOAA suggests the public have three 
different ways to get alerts, but that costs money, not all members of 
the public are comfortable with, or have access to multiple sources of alerts.

Other radio and TV broadcasters, as well as local outdoor sirens, NOAA 
weather radio and Wireless Emergency Alerts; covered the weather events 
and weather warnings.

A brief program interruption or scoll/graphic overlay would give the 
viewers and listeners the choice to check other media, or change the 
channel for more information.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2019/10/22/questions-raised-after-dallas-tv-station-airs-nfl-game-instead-breaking-tornado-coverage/

A Dallas television station apologized to viewers after airing a football 
game -- rather than severe weather coverage -- as a powerful tornado tore 
through the city on Sunday night.

The incident has brought renewed attention to the dilemma TV stations face 
when severe weather strikes during popular programming. If they break in 
and interrupt shows and sporting events, they can often expect a rush of 
calls from angry viewers. At the same time, it's not yet clear whether, in 
the case of a damaging tornado, offering severe weather coverage via 
online streaming services is an effective alternative to traditional 
televised weather coverage.

[...]