UNSOLVED: The Creepiest TV Hack in History

[@RickPMandel]

I was working in TV in Detroit when this happened. I cannot begin to tell you the panic all the stations across the country were experiencing. We figured out pretty quickly how it was done, and did a proof of concept test at 3am a couple days after the event. To show how easy it was, we did the test using surplus ham radio equipment, and that there was no real way to prevent it. I wanted to use Max again for this test, but the station management and the FCC wasn't too keen on the idea.

[@apapz3245]

I like ham

[@AnthonyGoodley]

@@apapz3245 Ham is OK. I prefer bacon. 🥓

[@michealfreeman9714]

It's all pork..

[@michaelross1452]

​@@apapz3245I like turtles

[@Pinion512]

ya. HAM works good for screwing around with radio stations as well. Found this out on accident.

[@mad-pit3832]

The pirate radio scene was massive in London prior to dab. You could take the radio links from the top of traffic lights in order to bounce the signal 3/4 places before it hit the transmitter. That way they never found you, when i say transmitter i mean an old round biscuit tin with hand held radio parts and a car battery to power it. We used to put them on the highest tower block in the area. In fact kool fm has just shut down after over 30 years broadcasting without getting caught. It was one of the biggest pirate radios in the world.

[@nathandean1687]

are u shure they shut down or did they go digital. as far cheaper . and they couldve done it online.

[@pkf4124]

Used to listen to Kool Fm when working in London.

[@geneeverett33]

I remember Adam Curry doing that as a teen.

[@uncled39]

No one has found the person spanking Max either.

[@alexanderSydneyOz]

@@uncled39 apparently they tried but came to a dead end

[@trentvlak]

The prankster is such a legend for never spilling the beans. Respect.

[@The_Bigot]

I hope one day he does spill the beans. Maybe on his death bed. Just be cool to know who the legend is.

[@apapz3245]

It was Theo von

[@billysunday7507]

Troll master level. I wonder how many people were in on it.

[@skullkidsid2418]

He's likely passed away at this point.

[@tureign]

Or im i mean hes still 😂laughing

[@smithjones3548]

I was stationed in the U.K. in the 80's, Max Headroom was one of the most fascinating TV shows I had ever seen, decades later it's even more eerie how much it got right about where we are now.

[@cydonian0417]

@smithjones3548 I remember watching it and thinking it was 50 years ahead of its time, which is why nobody got it at the time.

[@AaronLehmannLoops]

The best kind of hack/prank. No one got hurt. It wasn’t meant to trick people in mean ways. And you beat the FBI trying to track you down. Legend

[@xXGeneralButtNakedXx]

Hes scary as to me 😨

[@sambranton3346]

The fbi were too busy forcing Facebook to silence stories about the illegal activities of the Democrats to figure out who did this prank.

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@sambranton3346 Eh Facebook wasn’t even dreamed about in 1987.

[@Drewzer154]

@@sambranton3346 Facebook in 1987? Interesting.

[@BenHall289]

@@sambranton3346lol Facebook? In the 80’s?

[@annikkirahko6714]

I’ve heard of this, but this is definitely the most comprehensive video I’ve seen. Awesome work as always♥️

[@TheWhyFiles]

I'm glad you enjoyed. This was my favorite video so far. I know it's a bit obscure, but still... something about this story fascinates me.

[@Gentlemanclub5]

Suomalainen ? vau tää kanava on aika hyvä :) just löysin muutama päivä sitten .

[@Rtw941]

@@TheWhyFiles The Why Files

[@kirdot2011]

heard of this before as well but this is the only channel where he explains exactly what the hacker meant with the stuff he said, other channels just placed us in front of the fact that this did happen

[@uuuuNB]

The research you do and the presentation is extremely well done like the other videos I've watched from you. This is truly an under appreciated channel, the longer the videos the better.

[@max1point8t]

"It was done for the glory the curiosity of it" In that one sentence you capture the entire spirit of hacking, and in particular "the big hack".

[@randomxnp]

Memories of Max Headroom for 80s kids is like a fever dream. Everyone recognised him but we did not know what he meant. Also his selling out to Coca Cola is really telling about what the establishment thinks of anyone not of the establishment.

[@audreym3777]

Yep! Same time Tron was the hot game at the arcades. …damn I’m old

[@cotati76]

@@audreym3777there was a pizza place where I used to play Tron. It was mind blowing when it came out. Same as that Journey video game. Geezus……..yeah we’re old.

[@Mordaris]

I thought the Coke commercials pre-dated the movie and series. Did it not?

[@Hecklefishfearthecrabcat]

Same. I thought it was a show i missed lol. Guess i did😂

[@thomassutherland2647]

​@@Mordaris it did. This is why fake Max is a Pepsi fan, so to say that Matt had no knowledge of it.

[@mrwusss9126]

At least, the person behind this master prank didn't transmit something terrifying, like gore, insults, threats, or any kind of 18+ content, he just trolled everyone and go away. My hats off to this peaceful nonsense intruder.

[@Slorrn]

This is incorrect. Ass slapping and calling someone a bitch seems a little more towards 18+ content and on PBS nonetheless. But in the end it’s just comical and odd 😂

[@someoneout-there2165]

It might not be terrifying but it sure is creepy and bizarre. 🤣

[@colorbugoriginals4457]

Good point, I like your positive outlook ☺️✌️

[@JohnnyBeeDawg]

The hacker pulled his pants down and a female spanked his naked butt.

[@justinclark216]

He showed his bare ass getting spanked with a fly swatter lol

[@briandavies1910]

We sure need someone to do something like this now to get TV, media and government to improve

[@richbrake9910]

Back in 1987 television relied on primitive analog signals. Even the analog signals in the early part of the 21st century were better By the Digital signals were being used, and now stations solely use digital. I doubt someone could hijack a network today. Digital is far too safe for that.

[@MovieEnvy]

This didn’t improve or change anything though. The issue today is more about people not listening if they don’t agree with what’s being said. So even if something like this happened I’m not sure how much good it would do.

[@jchow5966]

Lol.

[@seetheworldfrommyharley]

Yup, sheep can only be herded. and too many wolves in sheep's clothing. Goodbye society.

[@GimmieCookie]

The answer used to be KZbin until it was bought out by Google, there will be a next phase

[@petesgurl101]

I had never heard of the Max Headroom incident until I watched this video. My boyfriend was also recently introduced to your channel through a friend of ours, and I had to watch this myself.

[@jacquesdemolay5171]

I remember when this happened, and it's amazing to think that it's still unsolved. The one thing we know for sure is that there was more than one person involved. That some serious secret-keeping after all these years!

[@blackrazer22]

I heard the statue of limitation was over, so they could reveal themselves saftely.

[@piccolobella3945]

@@blackrazer22:: Ya , maybe so....but I wonder - - does our government ever change it's mind? At least we have a strong bond of trust between us, right ? ...

[@blackrazer22]

@@piccolobella3945 lol. Well I did say "could" not "should". Maybe after they pass away.

[@dr.matthewhertert310]

i'm old enough to remember this, but did not witness it. my sole claim to TV fame was watching live the night crispin glover was on letterman...

[@jenniferditman3788]

​@@dr.matthewhertert310I remember that. That guy is nuts. In high school my best friend and I crushed on him & called directory assistance in LA, & got his phone number. We left numerous 3 way messages. We'd ramble to each other sometimes forgetting that we were on his answering machine. He never called us back. 🤔

[@LORDY_GAGA]

Not sure if anyone has noticed but Max first says: “666 success” with the glitch face type thing. Gotcha!

[@PhyllisJohnson-lr9bq]

Yep, I did

[@Mre-i7c]

Prince of the air, IYKYK

[@linzyr84]

@@LORDY_GAGA caught that

[@TimNeis]

Yep

[@pe2point0]

Hmmm... I'm thinking he was more likely actually saying "suc-suc-suc-success" in the trademark Max Headroom stutter, referring to the fact that the on-air hack was officially a successful one. 🤔

[@Aegelis]

"...where the line between news and entertainment was getting more and more blurry", "That line is gone now" had me laughing out loud! Laugh or cry, those were my options. I remember hearing about this and am glad to see the story covered here. There's another video out there that goes through the suspects along with the possible motivations, I certainly recommend checking it out though can't remember the title. For those wondering, "Captain Midnight is a U.S. adventure franchise first broadcast as a radio serial from 1938 to 1949" Wikipedia

[@bretmensen5306]

Whoever the Max Headroom hacker is, is the original troll, and a legend.

[@rockk9753]

The original troll is Bugs Bunny he transcends time and space lol

[@SuperSaiyanGuyver]

The guy practically invented BOTH the things we'd call KZbinPoops or Shitposts now. Heck yeah he's a legend!

[@jimmystreetslumking8158]

Eminem shhh

[@markhamanderson2656]

@@bretmensen5306 its actor Matt Frewer

[@marklane870]

Max Kaiser

[@allcatz]

We watched Max Headroom regularly. Was not happy when it was taken off the air. Love your channel!

[@TheWhyFiles]

I loved him too.

[@taleiduerks4605]

Same! loved it. My husband hated it So there was always a fight for dibs on the tv

[@vertizon3036]

You neglected to mention that he held up a Pepsi can while repeating Coke's slogan. Love the videos!

[@sprontos]

@@vertizon3036 he showed the can being presented while explaining the Coke thing. What are you smoking?

[@jessbryan1361]

McDonald's was all over Max to make a quick buck too!

[@pyrettablaze0414]

@@sprontos I think he’s referring to the original max throwing a Pepsi can while he says “catch the wave”. Then coke used it as their slogan. Ironic how it was a Pepsi at first ……..

[@GambitArkana]

I was watching Doctor Who at the time in the dark when it happened. What you see online doesn't show how Live it looked when it broadcasted and was scary. Mind you I was 14 at the time.

[@Bobaganoosh68]

I could only imagine!

[@richbrake9910]

Wow...that's crazy

[@Moltar666]

U watched Dr who in the USA at that time?

[@Me-qp8vz]

@@Moltar666 Yes watch the video they even say that. Did you watch the video? Or google it it will tell what episode it was.

[@Dobviews]

@@Moltar666 Dr. Who first aired in the US in 1965, I know this because of my Vietnam Vet friend. One of his buddies who did not make it back from the war was huge fan. Now every time it comes on... he changes the channel.

[@austins.2495]

The Max Headroom footage is so freaking creepy. I don’t exactly know why, but it is straight nightmare fuel to me…

[@pyrettablaze0414]

Imagine seeing that pop up as a kid at night and you’re the only one in the room. ….. Freddy Kruger’s not so scary anymore 😂

[@ScoutFinch44]

@@austins.2495 I always thought he was creepy and annoying. The character, not Matt Frewer

[@freedomisfromtruth]

It was new at the time and kind of innovative, but also future forewarn

[@Taliesin-xd7ke]

This happened in the UK back in 1977 on the old ITV regional station Southern Television, the hacker called himself Vrillon of the Ashtar Galactic Command and called for peace and disarmanent as well as other positive esoteric stuff. Lasted approx 6 minutes and led to a lot of concerned phonecalls from the public. I found it pretty funny tbh.

[@Mr.Obongo]

You witnessed the event yourself? Or did you get your info from the numerous videos covering it? If you did actually witness I want to know since there is no official audio or video recording of the hack, which has made me somewhat skeptical about what it might’ve actually said.

[@Taliesin-xd7ke]

@@Mr.Obongo No I didn't witness at the time, different region. I have seen the footage though unfortunately I can't remember where.

[@TheRealEMURSE]

@@Taliesin-xd7ke the galactic council is real!

[@Taliesin-xd7ke]

@@TheRealEMURSE Na Nu, Na Nu!😄

[@MisterNiles]

You talk about it like it wasn’t a time traveler, who did the hack

[@MrGdgoodman]

I'm a big fan of Max Headroom. There was an episode of the series where network 23 is hacked, and blank Reg is framed for the crime. The entire series was very poignant in its social commentary. I absolutely loved it.

[@bauhausbastard]

Have you managed to find a release of 20 minutes into the future?

[@davem3048]

One of my favorites as well. Brilliant writing.

[@garycarpenter6433]

The coke commercial was good I wasn't too fond of the show or the cartoon

[@mitchellsmith3105]

Can we all take a second to thank AJ for all his hard work, which he puts into his writing, research and jokes for HF. Thank you AJ. I'm hooked on your channel.

[@jbroadbelt6]

Don't tell me what to do... chump

[@louisbertaux5193]

Thanks Why Files, I remember Max Headroom, but I didn't know he was never identified! We could sure use him today!

[@garywatson3778]

I have seen clips of the MHI, but this is the first time I have seen any of it where he talks. I never knew it existed until 16 minutes ago. Another great one in the books!

[@TheWhyFiles]

Thanks, Gary. I'm glad we could bring something new to the story for ya!

[@mikeschmidt4800]

"Your love is fading." This is why the world is going mad.

[@Rayshard.Oblique777]

There was a Max Headroom show in the UK in the 80's where he would show music vids, and talk incessantly about golf, and how he didn't have any legs.

[@LydiaStarz]

I remember the Max Headroom tv show! I waas in Dallas when it aired in the 80s.

[@LydiaStarz]

I watched it but never truly got it. Lol

[@jacob.schopp]

You weren't kidding! This was a super fun episode. I'd never heard of this before, but I expect these surprises by now. If you've never heard of the Eriksson Twins story, that might be something you'd be interested in. Keep up the great work!

[@TheWhyFiles]

I had never heard this story and you have now sent me down a whole rabbit hole! This topic is a worth inclusion, sir!

[@leebe8127]

Na boring, one just crazy swedes. Forgotten here anyways maye fun for teens to hear about it

[@chrischarge3129]

I witnessed the Dr. Who incident first hand. It's definitely something I'll never be able to unsee.

[@LazarusSlade]

No! Goatsee is something I'll never be able to unsee!!!!

[@scottchristofersen2367]

I have that on VHS somewhere. I was mad at the time. I really wanted that dr who episode.

[@elizabethstead1768]

😂😂😂

[@killermarmots]

Yup, me too. An alien could have beamed down next to the TV and it would have had about the same effect. I thought I hallucinated it until I saw it on the news the next day😂

[@riassslave558]

Succubbi Are PPL to! I remember The Max Headroom hack I was 15 & thought it was beyond hilarious! Those were the days; that aside another great upload Keep on Keepin on A.J & Hecklefish for the win!

[@Hexagonian]

Extremely well done. Very underrated channel!

[@TheWhyFiles]

Really happy you found the channel, OTAMC! (what does this username mean?? are you ok??)

[@markmiller489]

There was a Reddit post about this. A guy posted a pretty convincing story that he knew who did it. The basis of his story was he was at a party and met the 2 brothers that did it. They were college students at the University of Chicago I believe. His story was so detailed it was very believable.

[@bhaumikjani6159]

Link?

[@harrisonchase9823]

@@markmiller489 link?

[@aliensporebomb]

Which was later found to be false.

[@unitedstatesofmordor]

Though it does flash out with a certain sort of quantum entanglement.

[@benhahn8065]

Mixing some nostalgia in there will always be a key to success for KZbin channels like this one. You guys rock. I freaking LOVE The Why Files!

[@CraigsCards]

this was my first Why Files episode. The gateway episode...

[@vivek6230]

Max Headroom was the coolest dude in the 80's - way ahead of his time, satirical funny and prophetic

[@Buschwacker5054]

we were all cool in the '80s

[@sallymay3643]

Do u recall 👀him on MTV?

[@Buschwacker5054]

@@sallymay3643 Yes sure do, somewhere up up up in there 🤣🍻🇺🇲 The 80s was like cowabungally awesome...

[@fpartidafpartida]

The funny part I'd Max Headroom was originally pitched that Max should ba a dry boring talking head trying to connect with "the youth", but having no clue about how to actually do it. At the same time being arrogant and self confident. Well apparently that really connected with the youth 🤣

[@vinsgraphics]

Loved that show! Apparently my Technical Illustration instructor did too, and was quite annoyed when it was cancelled. (Yes, TI is a thing, it was my major. If you own a Kia, my work is in it).

[@voyaristika5673]

This incident was a vague memory until now. I never knew the story. 36 years ago already. This is a great channel!

[@davidclark3603]

Brilliant! I remember this. It started lots of pirate radio stations doing exactly the same thing. They would get on the roof of a tall building and, "hack into" mainstream radio. It took ages to find the transmitter because it was right under the noses of the authorities. The pirate radio was good because it was what young people wanted to hear rather than forced control! Excellent video!

[@neilpatrickhairless]

I ran a pirate AM transmitter that was originally a transmitter for a drive-in movie theater with a tunable crystal that would oscillate at certain frequencies on shortwave. Would blast off of the top of a nearby mountain with the TX antenna tied to a bigger legit radio and TV mast. We never gave a station ID or took QSLs so I have no idea how far we got out but shortwave signals can stretch a ways even from a small transmitter

[@shelleybuckingham733]

Max headroom brings back so many memories of a time in life ehen this were a lot less complicated 🤗 HAPPY times 😊

[@dr.scientist3481]

Always learn something new here! Great work guys!

[@TheWhyFiles]

Thanks for watching, Da Guy!

[@The4cp]

I wish someone could do this now and actually make the news tell the truth!

[@wirelessone2986]

Or the FBI sctually did a "good" job

[@ScratchinAway]

which “truth” tho…theres always multiple truths unfortunately, tho news without bias would be nice

[@Jason-xr7fh]

I was thinking the same

[@JargoniusMaximus]

ANONYMOUS

[@rudyschwab7709]

The trouble with that is society has come to believe multiple, competing truths coexist with each other. There's no fixing that.

[@angeladawn805]

You'll be hitting 3 million subscribers soon. I'm enjoying catching up with the back catalogue 😊

[@hansshell6792]

I grew up during the 80's ... loved Max Headroom, he was the star of late Saturday nights TV .. back in the day when there were only 4 channels here in the UK

[@michelleparker6202]

@@hansshell6792 🥰 had a poster on my wall of him! That’s awesome! We had 3 channels in the USA

[@LadyMoonsparrow]

I had no idea about the origin of Max Headroom or the hack. This was so interesting and I really appreciated the time and effort it took to put all this together. Another wonderful video! I also loved Hecklefish and his reaction to the animation was terrific! Thank you for all you do!

[@terryqueen3233]

In 1980 I was working with a cable company in Los Angeles. At midnight on Friday Saturday and Sunday a guy running around in a van with broadcast equipment would broadcast heavy metal music for about 2 to 3 hours then he would shut it down and take off but they never could find him until about a month he did this for about a month and they finally did catch him and the people went crazy they wanted him back they loved his music it was weird but it happened, I'm pretty sure it was 1980. Thanks for your video I haven't heard about Max Headroom room in a long time, except for the fact that I brought it up on a channel I was watching last week as a matter of fact but I don't know how many people would have even known who Max Headroom was anyway thanks for the video have a great day and stay safe and keep your powder dry!

[@TheWhyFiles]

That metal head was a hero in my book.

[@cschleiger1991]

Awesome episode! Another great one. I always learn something new ;) Keep up the good work guys and gals.

[@danielmcgrath7519]

Very interesting and funny thanks mate, can't wait for the next one great work 👍

[@TheWhyFiles]

Glad you enjoyed it, DM!

[@bps3013]

That Max Headroom hack was a DEVO level incident... superb stuff!

[@emilymcpaul4204]

Ha! Now you have me wondering.... That would be epic!

[@unitedstatesofmordor]

Well now, It's all good man!

[@samanthafairweather9186]

Being an Aussie, I'd never heard about this incident. I know who Max Headroom is, cause I used to watch his show on tv. Personally, I think it was a bunch of college students who had some type of knowledge on electronics, satellites, tv stations and the like. It really comes across as a college prank. Whoever did this is an absolute genius, and will go down in the history books for hacking into not one, but two tv stations. Good on them!! It's so funny!!

[@christygum3384]

You know Sam, I think you may be right..Give some college boys the right tools and God help the person or people they want to prank ! The old college hi jinx ! ☺️😆🤣😅😂😃

[@kieranhart5776]

No way. It wasn’t a bunch of anyone or someone we would have told someone else and they would have got caught. It was 2 brothers and that’s it. And they never told a soul.

[@christygum3384]

@@kieranhart5776 Can you be sure Kieran ? Hmmm ?

[@wasterangler]

@@kieranhart5776 oh gawd I hope they weren't in college!

[@Thor-Orion]

@@christygum3384 I suspect it was either two or three siblings as well, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t between the ages of 17-24.

[@jotaele.44]

Many praises to you sir. The format of your videos is impeccable, it is very objective and complete once you dive into the evidence. Plus HeckleFish serves as a perfect voice for reactions and interjections (the human mouth inside the animation joke was amazing). Keep doing your thing! I've watched quite a few videos now and I definately subscribed.

[@rclc161]

THE FISH gets my 7 year old interested in watching

[@jotaele.44]

@@rclc161 amazing 😂

[@rclc161]

@@jotaele.44 isnt that the point of the goldfish?

[@Rtw941]

Pinned comment

[@zapperbunny1]

Hells yeah!

[@Zazzaro703]

You know there was at least one person out there that hit a crossroads when these broadcasts cut in especially the 2nd one. Melting into their couch tripping balls their trip either hit its peak or went completely off the rails when they saw Max cut onto the screen.

[@AnthonyGoodley]

Yep. Back then acid was the real deal too. Not the synthetic BS you find today.

[@trippyleaf4853]

Mannn... lmfao thats cruel

[@newjerseyjustin]

They could only be so lucky.

[@DJ-GASM]

Nice take, far out

[@Onelove2000]

I thought the same thing🤣🤣🤣 that would have definitely changed that trip up🤣🤣🤣

[@raulmarin3506]

Man, you and your team (if there is one backing you up) are pure genius. Your story telling is impeccable, the topics are really interesting, and your English is really easy to follow, even though there is unknown vocabulary involved sometimes (yeah, I'm a non native speaker). During the last days I have spent hours watching your vids and I feel I have invested them in something really valuable. Thank you and keep the good work!

[@ThePlantageNot]

Whose last days? Yours?

[@garryrichardson4572]

Your old stuff is gold too. I can’t believe it’s taken this long to find you guys.

[@zacsayer1818]

Great episode, which reminded me of the late 70’s or early 80’s hack of a UK TV channel news broadcast with a supposed message from an Alien entity. Which itself would be a great idea for one of your YT videos. Bravo again!

[@sports872]

Any more information on this?

[@zacsayer1818]

@@sports872 The video of it can be found with a search of YT or Google.

[@ianharrison6597]

@@sports872 It happened in the UK on 26 November 1977. The Independent Television station franchise holder was ‘Southern Television’. The UHF transmitter interrupted was Hannington in the south of England. Wikipedia has an article ‘Southern Television broadcast interruption’ for more details.

[@sports872]

@@ianharrison6597 I looked it up. It said it was quickly found out to be a hoax.

[@leakypussy9813]

I’m in the UK I think activists should do this to itv bbc etc

[@randyj420]

Great work on this. Seen the footage before and knew of the incident - but didn't know about the earlier one and some of your details - so - thanks.

[@TheWhyFiles]

Happy I could bring something new, Randy. That's not easy to do on the internet.

[@mattc3169]

One of the strangest yet fascinating incidents. The fact that after all this time the Max Headroom incident is still unsolved is part of what makes it such an interesting story. Also what makes it fascinating is just how bizarre the whole thing was. Trying to figure out who did it and why they did it will likely keep people revisiting this story for years to come. Keep up the great content. My family loves HeckleFish!

[@TheWhyFiles]

I agree! Looking at the old coverage, the FCC and FBI were soooooo confident they would catch the perpetrators. But fighting within and between the agencies got worse as the investigation floundered. This is one of those mysteries I hope remains forever unsolved.

[@mattc3169]

@@TheWhyFiles it’s definitely more fun not knowing who was responsible.

[@I.am.Sarah.]

My guess is that it was college or university kids, at least 3 and no malice intended. Then when they heard what the penalties are they just decided to never mention it.

[@Rtw941]

@@TheWhyFiles cheese

[@Me-qp8vz]

@@mattc3169 Hi!

[@dr-zieg]

Watched 20+ episodes of yours and I really enjoyed this one the most. Hope you cover more hacks in the future!!

[@seanteano3304]

Great video man always high quality 🙌

[@TheWhyFiles]

Thanks, Sean! I always liked this story. It's easier to make good content when you're interested in the topics.

[@JayBelafonte]

I remember this as a child and it was one of the weirdest things I’ve ever seen. Most people I know have never heard of it.

[@Larrys-88Keys]

I am so glad your channel came up as a recommendation! Subscribed immediately! Very well produced and keeps my attention to the end with each video!

[@TheWhyFiles]

So glad you found the channel, Larry! If you enjoyed the Max Headroom story, you're the perfect kind of weird. Welcome home!

[@travisdrum6760]

@@TheWhyFiles LOVE YOUR CHANNEL!!!! THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK!!!

[@WhatWhy42]

@@TheWhyFiles do u have help with these?

[@borntoclimb7116]

Me to

[@davidschumaker8107]

I just came across this channel and immediately subscribed. This was my second video and I see that I have many to catch up on.

[@johncapps-xo4my]

I remember watching Dr. Who when this happened!! It was pretty interesting, and the fact that they never found out who did it after all these years tells you it was well planned!!

[@abigailbp9294]

Or they just got lucky

[@LinkRocks]

It's wild that he was able to do this twice and never got caught. He must have had all his bases covered unlike the HBO Captain Midnight guy. I'm fascinated by this event because it's so odd and no one ever confessed to doing it. Good video.

[@TheWhyFiles]

Thanks, JJ. I always liked this story.

[@painhasgotchyu7276]

Different times they didn't even have the tech to follow it. Must not be old enough to remember analog

[@gustavedelior3683]

Oh yeah, this guy had to be one of the best cable techs of his time.

[@cuzimaluzer777]

One of the greatest trolls of all time.

[@annother3350]

@@painhasgotchyu7276 They could catch radio pirates back then but it takes time

[@jayrokky]

You're the best. Nicely done on every aspect. Love your work. Keep it up dude, this is quality content from start to end.

[@billybishop7030]

Your channel is quickly becoming my go to while I'm at work love the content and information on such a wide range of topics also would like to see an episode on either the show or subject of Ancient Aliens

[@mcarrusa]

Good seeing Bill Kurtis again. I was living on the west coast at the time, so missed that incident. Cool to learn more about it. Thanks for the ep.

[@Bootmahoy88]

I just love the fact this major hack went unsolved!

[@BLEACH366]

Ive written how it was pulled off using a 5kw kicker and why they had to do it on VHF because they are only allowed to broadcast at 3kw the waa waa pedal was a dead giveaway if you want to know check the comments above its not done because its hard its not done because you will get 20 years in the federal pen

[@johnphantom]

@@BLEACH366 It is not done now because of encryption. You ain't cracking it.

[@BLEACH366]

@@johnphantom you don’t have to

[@Josh101]

Found this channel recently, I'm enjoying it

[@TheWhyFiles]

Glad you finally found the channel, Josh. I've been waiting for you!

[@shilohjohnson6920]

Back in the day they were hijacking the old telephone lines too it was just a hobby. They hacked whatever they could. This guy was probably a legend among his peers.

[@alexanderSydneyOz]

If that was so, his identity would have leaked out. Two people at most

[@sydneyhalliwell2513]

I love that Back to The Future II has Max Headroom in the Cafe scene. Great stuff

[@dirtyd2316]

I remember back when this happened and how much attention it got with the media. I know some people don’t think this was a big deal but what they fail to realize is this wasn’t something that could easily be pulled off,especially back then and it made people think that if someone could do this,what else could they hack in too.

[@Bingo_the_Pug]

It was probably an inside job, and the very few people responsible took the secret of how they did it to their graves

[@lukeyznaga7627]

excellent comment. IN A WAY, this was an accidental WARNING, to what the government or very intelligent private individuals could to to interupt your TV broadcast. we all know, that NOWADAYS, we ALL have no privacy of our own information, on the Internet or in computer banking, or even have privacy with our medical records or bank accounts and on the Internet or on Facebook, they HAVE EVERYTHING on you. Some TV s now, can even spy and hear you .

[@PeterTea]

Not too mention the big Soviet threat at the time.

[@BLEACH366]

It wasn’t hacked into it was a stomped on signal the fcc limits the wattage a tv station can broadcast with thats why the big tv stations use as high of antenna as they can like Willis Towers or the John Hancock building because it reaches more people with less wattage so if you build a custom transmitter and crank up the wattage you can stomp on that signal and yours wins this was a ham radio operator who mods cbs ham radios and builds illegal amps mods the wattage peaks and clips the limiters and cranks up the modulation so you crunch all the little peons the wawa pedal was dead give away and to be honest a lot of people know how to do it but they don’t because its illegal so now think about it broadcasting on a freq isn’t hard buying modding a amp isn’t hard wiring a wawa pedal is 2 wires usually white and red wires now all you need is a high antenna or more wattage to crunch the signal

[@BLEACH366]

I was messing around walking over people at pay phones or the drive threw at 14 getting cops was fun i almost got caught the look on peoples faces when they are on the pay phones at White Hen is hilarious i told one chick i wanted to bang her Mony was her name and i did that night lol

[@rustyshackleford1114]

Something similar happened in Orlando, FL in 1987 during a 3pm airing of "General Hospital", but this one was, well, apocalyptic. Literally. For about 10 seconds, the episode was interrupted with what looked like footage of the end of the world (No BS). It looked like a cross between the scene in the Ten Commandments where Moses parted the Red Sea and the spirits killing the Nazis in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Am I the only one to remember this happening ? I have tried like hell over the years to get any additional intel on this, but nothing.

[@PersonManManManMan]

Submit this as suggestion to WF

[@michelleelms9411]

I love your channel. With things the way they are, your take on just about everything under the sun is always 1) positive 2) informative and 3) entertaining. Good stuff! And I appreciate that very much , kudos 👍

[@nicholasholmes2189]

This was alway one of my favourite stories growing up. The sheer randomness of the event without explanation is just epic. Glad it got covered early !

[@partymanau]

Greatest hack ever. My hat is off to who ever pulled this off. Genius.

[@ohkaygoplay]

I just knew about Max Headroom from Back to the Future. I didn't know there was a whole thing around it, or that someone had hijacked the airwaves. I was a very little kid at the time. Thanks for this video, AJ. :) It was honestly interesting - and very creepy. The tilting background was disorienting. The visual, the sound, and the clipping would have disturbed baby me so hard.

[@Mikegees]

It was a TV show on abc....

[@GZP1023]

Max wasnt in back to the future. Their was a homage to him in back to the future 2.

[@juice3167]

Duuude! I remember seeing clips of this when I was younger, super unsettling. It's still kinda off putting even now. Another banger vid, as always 👍

[@TheWhyFiles]

Same here! This one has stuck with me for yearrrrrrrssss... So creepy.

[@LinkRocks]

It's the voice that creeps me out. The costume is funny to me, but it's how he sounds that makes me squirm in my seat.

[@Bulky-Bulky]

I just found your channel. The spy numbers video in Shortwave brought me. You are at 3.13K subscribers, now add one more. Great content and quality. You have something here!!

[@TheWhyFiles]

Bulky! What a fantastic comment. I hope you stick around!

[@Thestage42]

Remember, it's only illegal if you get caught. It would be pointless to do this today who even watches broadcast television in the era of Netflix and hulu.

[@aaronmayhew2.0]

The love the Tool lyrics that talk about that on the album Opiate, song Jerk Off

[@Thestage42]

@@aaronmayhew2.0 oh man, that whole album is so good, buy yeah.

[@crashrr2993]

I loved the Max Headroom show. It was so far ahead of everything else on TV. I also had the pleasure of playing rugby with Matt Frewer at St Albans rugby club. He was a cool dude.

[@tokyogamer5825]

Even though I have the bell icon enabled. KZbin doesn't notify me when there's a new video. I'm glad I remembered to search you up again and see if you have any new videos.

[@TheWhyFiles]

So glad you remembered to check in, TG! That bell is unreliable!

[@anthonyruggiero1988]

3:48 is likely "looks like you got blood prints on it", said by someone off-camera. Listen to it again

[@matthewlawrence1583]

Keep up the great work AJ and Hecklefish! This is the best media on the web today. The spirit of Coast to Coast AM lives on on the web. I would love to see you do an episode on the Lost Cosmonauts if you haven't already. I think you would have a lot of fun researching and attempting to debunk it!

[@BrianJNelson]

I actually remember when this happened. I was watching DR Who when that came on. Sadly, I was in my bedroom and the only VCR we had was in the family room so I wasn't recording it. That's a VHS tape that would have been worth having all these years later.

[@TheWhyFiles]

Amazing that you saw this live!

[@moejoe10000]

I remember it as well , seemed longer ago

[@supobostarman]

@@TheWhyFiles so did I. I remember it well. I was 26 and in college. Watching Dr Who the Sunday night.

[@akatripclaymore.9679]

I Remember this! 😆 I think I was about 15!

[@domdomdominoes6128]

What state where you in?

[@joshualopez9259]

Amazing video man, subscribed from the first video I seen from you, I already know all your other videos are just as good so I'm onboard, thanks.

[@TheWhyFiles]

Thanks for taking a chance on the channel, Joshua!

[@joshualopez9259]

@@TheWhyFiles no problamo thank u for making great videos.

[@Aarrrow]

You literally make some of the best videos on KZbin. Your channel is criminally underrated. Your topics, your personality, Hecklefish, everything... Just absolutely brilliant. Keep doing what you do.

[@Kainlarsen]

Whoever this was, they will remain a legend. Absolute madman. :D

[@AnnieWarbux]

All of these years of watching WGN and I never knew that the call letters stood for World's Greatest Newspaper! 🙄

[@balthazarasquith]

How strange, the second broadcast that was interrupted was Dr who which is British as is Max Headroom. I remember watching that in the 80s on channel 4 (in the UK)

[@IdentityCrisis1581]

Max headroom was a strange show to begin with. But my friends dad was a big dr who fan and recorded all the episodes and he actually recorded the hack when it interrupted the show. He would tape the episodes and watch them later. Boy was he shocked when he played back that episode.

[@shortybeck1948]

Haha, I bet! The Max Headroom incident is fun to watch now on KZbin with captions and context, but if I'd seen it interrupt my TV show in real time late at night, I'd have crapped my pants! Lol.

[@IdentityCrisis1581]

@@shortybeck1948 yeah he couldn't stay up late enough to watch the show live so he would program his vcr to record it and watch it in the morning before work. I remember him saying something like "I thought it had accidentally recorded the wrong show. But after I watched it for a minute I realized it wasn't the real max headroom either." Unfortunately he didn't keep the tape. He just recorded over it because that's just what he did. He used the same vhs cassette until it wore out.

[@yendor2043]

Sir, you have the best content, format, delivery, show on the internet.

[@Davidbirdman101]

i remember this, i was elated and i hoped they would strike again, i started hating television around this time and stopped watching. television is a mental heath threat

[@wyattthomas840]

Thanks for the blast from the past! Fun video! I was glued to Max Headroom as a young teenager and was bummed when it ended. Still a Cokeologist! F*^k Pepsi! 🤣

[@terrysikes6638]

I never realized that he was humming the tune from "Clutch Cargo." If the FCC could make a short list of people that had actually SEEN Clutch Cargo they might have a better list of suspects.

[@ColdWarAviator]

@@terrysikes6638 during the late 70's in Chicago on channel 32 (UHF)... I think Clutch Cargo was still playing along with Speed Racer and some other classic kid's shows so anyone from the Chicago area would have known the show.

[@SegaSavageMusic]

Funny thing I have thought about certain things without saying it and then got ads on my phone for those things sometimes. interesting concept of that movie huh

[@Magic-f8b]

I have had same happen to me...I am a breathing question mark

[@PhyllisJohnson-lr9bq]

Y'all ain't lying! I thought it was coincidence or my imagination. Thanks man

[@ginachiodo4263]

I loved how Coke used Max Headroom for their Coke Commercials and I also loved the Max Headroom series. Max Headroom was cool.

[@igorivanov299]

I loved how in back to the future 2 they had Michael Jackson in max headroom style talking to Marty on the TV screen and Marty orders a Pepsi, Pepsi perfect to be exact.

[@Yata69]

I has a classmate that hacked police radar and did get cought but as a new student in electronics, was rather smart! He made the radar read the speed he wanted the radar to to read, it was genus, except he did it to many times!!

[@benjamincoffils9963]

I showed my friend your channel and he said it looked awesome also this is a really weird incident 🧐

[@TheWhyFiles]

Thanks for spreading the love, BC!

[@mirandagoldstine8548]

I asked my parents about it since they were in Chicago when this incident happened. They never heard of it. I thought their friends would’ve mentioned a strange incident that happened on TV. My theory is that the person or people (I suspect multiple people were involved) created this video as a way to get back at the station owners. Basically bitter ex-employees who had a very talented hacker on the team.

[@trainwreck1998]

Presumably, whoever did this would more than likely be in their mid to late 60’s now. I’m hoping they will take credit in their latter years and give us some insight to their train of thought then and perhaps even do some interviews. I know the government will still want their pound of flesh, so I’m sure they’ll hold onto the secret until a time where any punishment would be futile due to age.

[@frankt7521]

Maybe an interview to be released after his/her death.

[@robertnorthrop9964]

@@frankt7521 statue of limitations 7 years couldn’t do anything to them

[@awesomepossum3708]

I was 8 months old when all this happened. But when the internet became a thing, and saw a clip , I was always intrigued and creeped out at the same time. Still am to this day. Another great video AJ and Hecklefish!

[@lindseyhatfield9017]

In Melbourne Australia back in the 1980's we had a similar incident, we had a radio transmitter at the same frequency as out uplink between the Studio's in town and the transmission tower, burried in front of the uplink receiver with a car battery. We had to fail back to our old land line circuit until we found it. Another incident we were transmitting the Tennis from the US when around midnight the feed switched to a pornography video, it only took minutes to sort this out, the incoming feed was accidentally patched over from the source. We had hundreds of calls, complaining and asking for the Porn to be put back on, none about the tennis going off.

[@MarkSmith-hb8mg]

Any more details on this? Which tower?

[@davidneal5046]

😂😂😂🤢🤮😂😂

[@Weirtoe]

Hahahaaaaaa gold!

[@mattferrigno9750]

That's great! No one was mad at tennis going down only that they wanted the porn back!

[@SlickArmor]

@@mattferrigno9750 yep, that's what he said.

[@marksmith4878]

Loved your vid! I knew about these hacks years ago but never saw them, nor had the lowdown on them. Very good job! You might also dig into an incident from the early 70s when hackers took over channel 7 in the Syracuse metro area for an entire weekend. They called themselves "Lucky Seven" and aired rant-laden newscasts and some porn movies - then disappeared without a trace. Keep up the good work... Hecklefish is Da Bomb! :)

[@stevetilbrook3402]

The guy the TV interrupter in 1987 says " I still see the X,,, my files " The X-Files didn't air till 6 years later in 93..

[@abigailbp9294]

Strange glitch?

[@nick56677]

He said My Piles, Piles = Hemmorhoids

[@christianroerig1919]

As explained in the video, “I still see the X” is a reference to the last Clutch Cargo episode, the theme of which he’s humming. As stated above, “piles” are hemorrhoids.

[@stephenhoward4402]

Yeah, I think he said "My piles" and then "I just made a masterpiece..." I don't think he was referencing X Files, I think he was saying he shat on the newspaper.

[@OLDCHEMIST1]

Another great video! This one was interesting as it was technically difficult and exorbitantly expensive to do at the time. Have you heard of the weird claim that British TV was hacked, I think in the 1970s and that someone/thing claiming to be an alien talked about aliens and how we should work to save the earth. I have often thought this was another tall story, as I was around at the time and no-one I knew mentioned it, then or later, so I think it was yet another story invented for the Internet!

[@TheWhyFiles]

I didn't know that story, Harry! I love these "broadcast intrusion" stories.

[@OLDCHEMIST1]

@@TheWhyFiles Here's the one I mean, but I wonder if it ever even happened. I was what you would call a high school student [confusingly because I didn't study at school we Brits would call me a college student at the time]. I don't recall any talk of it at all, so I wonder if it is total nonsense: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Television_broadcast_interruption

[@cosmofoxgaming1268]

@@TheWhyFiles that one really happened and freaked a lot of folk out. Would be great to see a video of yours on it! Superb work as always.

[@BermondsayBattler]

Vrillon of Ashtar Galactic Command is the alien one, and it's real

[@RangerElite18]

@@TheWhyFiles wow would love to see a video on this one 👽