Nationwide Emergency Alert Test on Nov. 17, 2026: What You'll See on TV and Radio

FEMA and the FCC will run a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS) at about 2:20 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. If you're watching TV or listening to the radio at that moment, your program will be interrupted for roughly a minute. You don't need to do anything.

What happens during the test

• Radio and TV broadcasters, cable systems, satellite TV providers and wireline video providers will relay the test.
• The message will say: "This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This is only a test. No action is required by the public."
• It includes the standard EAS alert tones, and stations may air it in English, Spanish or both.
• It lasts about one minute, then normal programming resumes.

Will my phone get an alert?

No. FEMA says this year's test is EAS only. Wireless Emergency Alerts were tested in 2023 but aren't part of the 2026 test, so phones won't buzz.

What time is the test where I live?

Eastern	about 2:20 p.m.
Central	about 1:20 p.m.
Mountain	about 12:20 p.m.
Pacific	about 11:20 a.m.

If a real emergency or major weather event happens that day, FEMA and the FCC may postpone. The backup date is Thursday, December 3, 2026. Some early reports mentioned a test the week of November 10. FEMA's official date is November 17.

Why FEMA runs the test

FEMA is required by law to test the national alert system at least once every three years. The test helps find technical problems before the system is needed in a real emergency.

The NextGen TV question

The test has started a debate about NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0). Some NextGen stations encrypt their signals. SiliconDust, which makes HDHomeRun network tuners, asked broadcasters to turn off that encryption from November 10 through the test, because its uncertified tuners can't decode encrypted stations and could miss the alert. The National Association of Broadcasters called the request unnecessary and said stations' regular ATSC 1.0 signals will still carry the alert.

If you watch over the air with an antenna, the regular ATSC 1.0 channels your TV already gets will carry the test. If you rely only on a NextGen tuner, our guide to NextGen TV converter boxes explains how encryption affects what you can watch. For free local channels in general, see how to watch ABC without cable.

Frequently asked questions

When is the 2026 nationwide emergency alert test?

About 2:20 p.m. ET on Tuesday, November 17, 2026. The backup date is December 3, 2026.

Will the test go to cell phones?

No. The 2026 test is Emergency Alert System only. Wireless Emergency Alerts are not part of it.

How long does the test last?

About one minute.

Do I need to do anything?

No. The message says no action is required by the public.

Will NextGen TV viewers see the test?

Broadcasters say regular ATSC 1.0 signals will carry it. SiliconDust has warned some encrypted ATSC 3.0 stations may not show it on uncertified tuners.