Sources within the US media regulator, the FCC, say that the organisation's five commissioners have unanimously approved recommendations from their staff to fine the 20 CBS owned TV stations that broadcast Janet Jackson's now legendary Nipplegate performance at the Superbowl earlier this year. Each station will be fined the maximum $27,500 for breaking indecency rules, bringing the total fine to $550,000. Other TV stations that syndicated CBS's broadcast of the half time show will not be fined.
FCC staff recommended that a full fine be applied to CBS some months ago after the outrage in the US press that followed the incident. However commissioners only rubber stamped the proposals last week. A formal statement regarding the fine is expected in the next few days.
Commenting on the possible fine, CBS spokesperson Dana McClintock told reporters this week: "We would be extremely disappointed in such a ruling. While we regret that the incident occurred and have apologized to our viewers, we continue to believe that nothing in the Super Bowl broadcast violated indecency laws."