Fiber Cable Thefts Knock Out Chattanooga TV Stations
Stolen fiber cable disrupted NewsChannel 9 and FoxChattanooga broadcasts while AT&T restored home phone and internet service in the Harrison Pike area.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in Property Crime
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Thieves stole fiber cable in the Chattanooga area Thursday, taking NewsChannel 9 and FoxChattanooga off the air during the morning and afternoon. AT&T restored home phone and internet service to affected customers in the Harrison Pike area.
Why it matters
The thefts damaged communications infrastructure that residents rely on for broadcast news, phone and internet service in Chattanooga. AT&T is working with local law enforcement to investigate the thefts.
AT&T is working with local law enforcement to investigate the fiber cable thefts, and no suspects have been publicly identified. Tipsters are asked to call local law enforcement or AT&T Global Security at 1-888-871-2622.
The players
AT&T
AT&T is a major American telecommunications company that provides phone, internet and television services across the United States.
NewsChannel 9
NewsChannel 9 is a Chattanooga television station that serves the local Tennessee Valley news market.
FoxChattanooga
FoxChattanooga is a Fox-affiliated television station serving the Chattanooga area with local news and programming.
The details
A string of fiber cable thefts disrupted communications in the Chattanooga area Thursday, leaving NewsChannel 9 and FoxChattanooga off the air for part of the day. AT&T restored home phone and internet service to affected customers in the Harrison Pike area.
Timeline
Thursday morning: NewsChannel 9 and FoxChattanooga went off air.
Thursday evening: AT&T provided a statement on restored service.
Thursday 6 p.m. and 11 p.m.: NewsChannel 9 scheduled to return to air.
Thursday 10 p.m.: FoxChattanooga scheduled to return to air.
Seasonal Patterns
Cable theft targeting telecom infrastructure has been a recurring problem across U.S. communities, as thieves sell copper and fiber for scrap value. This Chattanooga incident fits that pattern, disrupting both broadcast and residential connectivity in a single event.
Residents in the Harrison Pike area may have experienced home phone and internet outages until AT&T restored service. Viewers who rely on NewsChannel 9 and FoxChattanooga for local news were affected by the broadcast interruptions.
The takeaway
Report suspicious activity near utility poles, cabinets or fiber routes to local law enforcement or AT&T Global Security at 1-888-871-2622. Community reporting helps protect the communications infrastructure residents depend on every day.
Further reading
For more on local incidents like this, browse Property Crime coverage in Chattanooga.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WTVCFOX.
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