10 Mysterious Broadcast Interruptions That Left People Shocked

Interruptions in the broadcast have long been a mystery and a source of confusion for watchers. From strange signs to creepy messages, these interruptions often make people wonder where they came from and what they were trying to do.

  • Tricia Quitales
  • 4 min read
10 Mysterious Broadcast Interruptions That Left People Shocked
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This article discusses the 10 strangest program interruptions that have ever happened, leaving viewers shocked. These interruptions, which include scary messages and strange meddling, have made people curious and scared. Some haven’t been solved yet, and people have ideas about where others came from.

1. The Max Headroom Incident

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Between 1987 and 1988, someone in a Max Headroom mask took over two TV stations in Chicago. A strange, distorted video had strange sounds that didn’t make sense, and a creepy atmosphere interrupted the show. Even though it was investigated, no one knew who the hijacker was or why they did what they did.

2. The “War of the Worlds” Broadcast

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People were scared when Orson Welles’ 1938 radio version of “War of the Worlds” came out. Many people who watched the show thought Martians attacked Earth because it was so real. Even though it was a fake news show, the response from the public shocked many, and some even ran out of their homes in fear.

3. The Kentucky Derby Signal Hijack

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During the 2000 Kentucky Derby, an unknown group took over the broadcast signal and stopped the live coverage. A man wearing a horse mask was shown in a strange video loop for a few minutes. The whole story of what happened was never told, and the people responsible were never caught.

4. The “TV Hijacking” of the 1977 Broadcast

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In 1977, there was an odd break in a broadcast in the UK, and the face of a strange man showed up on the screen. The man in the mask did strange and mysterious things that became known as the “Max Headroom Incident” of the UK. The problem lasted a few minutes before the officials could get back in charge of the broadcast.

5. The “Signal Intruder” of the 1980s

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In some areas in the 1980s, TV transmissions were cut off by what many people called a “signal intruder.” The broadcast showed a scary video message with skull images and scary music, but it was hard to figure out what it meant. The people who made the interruption were never found, and no one knew who they were.

6. The “Hacker” Who Interrupted New York’s WNBC Broadcast

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Hackers were able to take over New York City’s WNBC in 1986 and stop the station from broadcasting. The hacker showed up on the screen wearing a mask and saying scary things. The hacker was never caught, even after a long investigation. This is one of the most well-known examples of radio hijacking in history.

7. The “Blue Light” Broadcast Incident

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In the UK in 1967, there was a strange break in the broadcast when a bright blue light and a jumbled message were sent over several stations. People watching the famous show were scared and confused by what happened. There was never a clear explanation for the blue light or what the message meant.

8. The “Gritty” Broadcast Hijacking

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In 1992, a shaky picture of a guy in a strange mask was shown during a show on a station in San Francisco. The man spoke with a robotic voice and said strange things. The break lasted a few minutes, and even though the station tried to get back in charge, the person who caused it was never found.

9. The “Do It” Radio Interruption

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A strange radio broadcast interruption happened in 1977 when an unknown person told people to “do it” during a normal show. People were confused because the voice sounded robotic and jumbled. The source of the message was never found, and no one has ever been able to explain what caused the strange pause.

10. The “Solaris” Broadcast Interruption

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In 2001, Russia had a strange interruption during a live show of a famous talk show. A strange black-and-white picture of a guy wearing a helmet and repeating strange words was shown briefly when the signal was taken over. Many people thought it was a joke or test, but the real reason for stopping the show was never found.

Written by: Tricia Quitales

Tricia is a recent college graduate whose true passion lies in writing—a hobby she’s cherished for years. Now a Content Writer at Illumeably, Tricia combines her love for storytelling with her fascination for personal growth. She’s all about continuous learning, taking risks, and using her words to connect with and inspire others.

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