CBS network apologizes for cutting Billy Joel special short; plans to re-air show

DAYTON — If you were watching “Billy Joel: The 100th—Live at Madison Square Garden” on WHIO-TV Channel 7 last night and were annoyed when Joel’s iconic “Piano Man” was abruptly interrupted, you were not alone.

Millions of viewers across the country who had tuned in to watch the much-anticipated concert were watching the broadcast mid-Piano Man when their screens cut to black and were abruptly interrupted by local news. Social media became an outlet for many unhappy fans who had already waited past the show’s planned 9 pm start, due to extended coverage of golf’s Master’s Tournament.

“The feed we receive cut out,” said WHIO Chief Engineer Randy McCune. “Our Master Control Operators had no control over their programming and had no choice but to go to news or to stay in black.”

CBS provided the following statement:

“A network programming timing error ended last night’s Billy Joel special approximately two minutes early in the Eastern and Central Time Zones. We apologize to Mr. Joel, his fans, our affiliated stations, and our audience whose viewing experience was interrupted during the last song. Due to the overwhelming demand from his legion of fans, BILLY JOEL: THE 100TH – LIVE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN will be rebroadcast in its entirety on CBS on April 19th at 9:00 PM ET/PT.”

If you would like to watch the concert in its entirety, you may watch it here: Billy Joel: The 100th- Live at Madison Square Garden

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