NPR affiliate’s backup audio signal hacked, ‘offensive material’ broadcast in Richmond area

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The backup audio signal of Roanoke-based NPR affiliate WVTF was reportedly hacked on Wednesday, with "offensive material" broadcast in the Richmond area, according to the station.

According to an online article by WVTF itself, Radio IQ's backup audio signal was hacked in the afternoon and early evening of Wednesday, Nov. 19.

The station said an unauthorized recording of "offensive material" aired over 89.7 FM in the Richmond area, though the specific content of the recording was not stated in the article.

WVTF said the incident was reported to authorities, who continue to investigate with help of recordings shared by listeners.

The hacker was reportedly able to take over WVTF's backup audio feed from Roanoke to Richmond.

Normally, WVTF said its main channel goes from its studio to the transmitter. If there is silence, or "dead air," the station said a sensor then triggers the back-up feed.

Dead air reportedly triggered the switch to backup audio on Wednesday, where WVTF said a hacker played an unauthorized audio loop.

"Normally a listener would not have noticed, but, given the offensive material on the back-up audio stream it was immediately noticeable, and was quickly switched back by station engineering," the station said.

WVTF apologized for what the hacker aired, and shared that many steps are being taken to ensure that the incident does not recur.

8News has reached out to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the incident.