Empire State Building Climb Prompts Temporary Antenna Shutdown

Two social media influencers who climbed to the top of the Empire State Building in New York City on July 1 allegedly triggered a temporary shutdown of the building’s broadcast antenna, according to a source familiar with the incident, reports CNN. 

The pair unfurled a banner before descending and were arrested on multiple charges, including burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal trespass, and criminal mischief. Multiple safety experts contacted by Inside Towers said the climbers were exposed to harmful levels of RF radiation.

The building’s antenna currently operates with an ERI modern antenna with the capability to broadcast 19 stations simultaneously for digital audio. It is unclear whether any services were interrupted. The current system replaced the legendary Alford Antenna that was used until recently as a backup system but was removed in April 2019.