Back to Events
Max Headroom Broadcast Intrusion
On November 22, 1987, someone wearing a Max Headroom mask hijacked two Chicago TV stations. The pirate broadcast showed bizarre footage including being spanked with a flyswatter. Despite a massive FBI investigation, the perpetrators were never identified.
1987
Chicago, Illinois, USA
100000+ witnesses
The most famous broadcast intrusion remains unsolved.
The First Intrusion
9:14 PM:
- WGN-TV Channel 9
- During news broadcast
- Max Headroom figure
- 25 seconds
- Signal overpowered
The Second Intrusion
11:15 PM:
- WTTW Channel 11
- During Doctor Who
- Same perpetrator
- 90 seconds
- More elaborate
The Broadcast
What viewers saw:
- Person in Max Headroom mask
- Corrugated metal background
- Distorted voice
- Humming theme song
- Spanked with flyswatter
The Investigation
FBI response:
- Major investigation
- Technical analysis
- Never solved
- High-powered equipment needed
- Professional broadcast knowledge
The Mystery
Why unsolved:
- Required expensive equipment
- Broadcasting expertise needed
- Limited suspects
- No witnesses
- Perfect crime
Cultural Impact
Legacy:
- Internet mystery
- Documentary subject
- Reddit investigations
- Hoax confessions
- Still discussed