# Ransomware attack affects local TV news across the US

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ransomware-attack-affects-local-tv-news-across-the-us/952852>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [October 20, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ransomware-attack-affects-local-tv-news-across-the-us/952852 "2021-10-20T22:47:39Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ransomware-attack-affects-local-tv-news-across-the-us/952852/1 "2021-10-20T22:47:39Z")

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Has your local station struggled during the Ransomware attack?

My local ABC affiliate (KATV, Channel 7) has a short statement at the beginning of the local news. They’re working hard to produce the news in spite of the attack.

I didn’t see much difference except for less graphics. Channel 7 is the number 1 rated news broadcast in the state. Sinclair purchased the station several years ago.

> **[Sinclair Broadcast Group hit with ransomware attack](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/sinclair-broadcast-group-hit-ransomware-attack/story?id=80646308)**
>
> Sinclair Broadcast Group was the victim of a ransomware attack over the weekend, the company announced in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Monday.

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**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2021, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ransomware-attack-affects-local-tv-news-across-the-us/952852/2 "2021-10-20T23:35:01Z")

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Some stations had to go to pre-recorded shows and news to remain on the air.

> **[WICS Channel 20 airing prerecorded content after Sinclair Broadcast Group...](https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/2021/10/20/sinclairs-wics-channel-20-operating-amid-ransomware-attack/8537170002/)**
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> WICS Channel 20, a subsidary of Sinclair Broadcast Group, is airing prerecorded content after its ownership group was hit with a ransomware attack.

IIRC many Sinclair stations do rely on content from the parent company or the big stations they own.

Par for the course for consolidating stations that supposedly are supporting local communities.

[This is extremely dangerous for our democracy](https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/sinclair-promos-backlash-1202741019/) /s

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**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ransomware-attack-affects-local-tv-news-across-the-us/952852/3 "2021-10-21T00:00:38Z")

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My state is lucky that very little has changed since Sinclair bought channel 7. They still produce a lot of local news. They probably use some segments from other stations. I’m not sure how much.

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**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2021, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ransomware-attack-affects-local-tv-news-across-the-us/952852/4 "2021-10-21T00:21:28Z")

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Sinclair owned KATU News here in Portland, Oregon is futzing up all over the place. Blackouts, picture freezes, lengthy cuts for commercials in the middle of conversations.