Tennessee TV station apologizes for 'Dancing With the Stars' tweet during Ferguson decision

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Nov. 25 (UPI) -- A local TV station in Tennessee apologized Sunday night for posting a "poorly worded" tweet during a nationally televised press conference from Ferguson, Mo.

WTVC NewsChannel 9, an ABC affiliate in Chattanooga, Tenn., interrupted an episode of Dancing With the Stars to broadcast news that a grand jury had decided not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson.

In a since-deleted tweet, WTVS assured viewers that DWTS would return after its Ferguson coverage.

"Don't worry, Dancing with the Stars will be back on after the special report. #Ferguson," the station wrote.

Many social media users criticized the station for what they saw as insensitivity toward the events in Ferguson.

Social media handler for WTVC needs a lesson on tact. pic.twitter.com/Uu6NZE6Z0k

— Bo (@bosule) November 25, 2014

"We did not mean to be insensitive with our previous tweet about DWTS vs. Ferguson. We apologize if it was perceived that way," the station wrote.

"We've removed our very poorly worded tweet from earlier to stop the bad signal from spreading. Please accept our sincerest apologies," it added.

For @newschannelnine I apologize for the poorly word tweet earlier tonight. There was no intention to be insensative. -- MCosta GM

— Mike Costa (@JudeCostaNC9) November 25, 2014