Fans upset when TV station pre-empts end of World Cup for weather alert
Hey, at least they didn't miss the goal.
The ABC affiliate in Elmira, New York, WENY, left the World Cup final during the 114th minute, or with about six minutes left, to break in with a report of tornado warnings in the region. Germany had scored the game's only goal shortly before, but viewers didn't see the end of the match, Deadspin reports.
Soccer fans were blown away by the decision, so to speak, and they took to Twitter to air their frustrations.
Thanks @WENYTV for ruining the #WorldCupFinal. Couldn't wait 5 mins? Pretty sure most of us can read & perceive a giant storm warning scroll
— Jessica Cramer (@TheLadyCramer) July 13, 2014
I hope this weatherman has life insurance @wenytv
— JD Skidders (@dagonjr) July 13, 2014
Thanks for making us miss the end of the World Cup @WENYTV! If we didn't hate local news before, we sure do now.
— Mack Schrock (@schrockmr) July 13, 2014
@WENYTV you interrupted the worlds biggest sporting event to get your 5 minutes of air time. Disgusting.
— Wilson (@J0SH_WILS0N) July 13, 2014
However, others came to the station's defense.
I support Met. Joe Veras for breaking into @WENYTV #WorldCup coverage with a #TornadoWarning. #SavingLives you can watch the game on YT
— Jonathan Belles (@JonathanBelles) July 13, 2014
Um, instead of being all mad @WENYTV for cutting away from end of #worldcup, how about you be mad at tornado that made them do it?
— Erin Cassidy (@erinccpi) July 13, 2014
Morons are actually upset that a TV station (@WENYTV ) cut away from the World Cup for a Tornado Warning. Soccer before lives, right?
— Jason (@upinthisbrain) July 13, 2014
The region was struck with a severe storm just last week, when a tornado that hit Smithfield, New York, about 200 miles east of Elmira, was blamed for four deaths.
