The Max Headroom Broadcast Intrusion

On November 22, 1987, someone in the Chicago area hijacked two television broadcast signals. A figure wearing a Max Headroom mask appeared on screen, delivering bizarre, sometimes obscene content. Despite an FBI investigation, the perpetrator was never identified, making it one of the most successful broadcast intrusions in television history.

The Intrusions

The first intrusion occurred at 9:14 PM during WGN’s sports broadcast. The signal was cut off after approximately 30 seconds with no audio.

Later that evening at 11:15 PM, the signal of WTTW was hijacked during a broadcast of Doctor Who. This intrusion lasted 90 seconds and included audio.

The Content

The perpetrator wore a Max Headroom mask and sunglasses, standing in front of a rotating corrugated metal backdrop. The figure laughed maniacally, held up a Pepsi can and shouted, “Catch the wave,” made obscure references, and ended the broadcast by being spanked with a flyswatter by an unseen person.

The content was surreal and apparently meaningless, though some have speculated it contained coded messages or inside jokes.

Investigation

The FCC and FBI investigated but never identified the perpetrator. Broadcast intrusion of this type requires sophisticated technical knowledge and expensive equipment. The hijacker needed to overpower the stations’ broadcast signals with a stronger signal of their own.

Despite the technical skill required, no one was ever caught.

Theories

Various theories have emerged over the years. Some believe the perpetrator was a disgruntled broadcast engineer. Others suggest multiple people were involved given the complexity of the operation.

The reference to Max Headroom, a popular TV character at the time, and the surreal content have led some to see the intrusion as performance art or social commentary.

Assessment

The Max Headroom broadcast intrusion remains an unsolved mystery. Someone invested significant resources and took considerable legal risk to broadcast 90 seconds of bizarre content to hundreds of thousands of viewers.

The motive remains unknown. The perpetrator remains free. The corrugated metal backdrop and maniacal laugh have become internet legends, symbols of a mystery that may never be solved.