If you're going to have a prime time show on American TV, and you're planning on having Janet Jackson getting her breasts out as part of the show, you better have deep pockets.
As previously reported, CBS were fined $550,000 for airing the so called Nipplegate incident during the 2004 Super Bowl. That was based on the maximum fine media regulator the FCC was allowed to charge ($27,500) multiplied by the number of CBS stations around the US that aired the infamous half time show (20). CBS have tried to appeal that fine twice now - both times unsuccessfully.
Despite CBS's attempts to get out of paying a fine that big, many in US political circles think it should have been much higher. To that end the US Senate and House Of Representatives have been debating what the fines should be increased to ever since, and this week they agreed on $325,000 per violation, which means CBS would be fined $6.5 million should Nipplegate happen again.
Both the Senate and House Of Representatives have now passed the so called Broadcast Decency Enforcement Act, meaning the Act will now go to George Bush to be signed into US law. He has said of the new laws: "This legislation will make television and radio more family-friendly by allowing the FCC to impose stiffer fines on broadcasters who air obscene or indecent programming". Jackson's Superbowl performance - obscene and indecent? Makes you glad we sent them all packing in the Mayflower, doesn't it?
The new legislation does not cover cable or satellite broadcasters - so if you've got Janet booked, I'd suggest putting the show out there.