The Parents Television Council wants the Federal Communications Commission to take action against the network for airing profanity live.
- Feb 5, 2013
AceShowbiz - While many rejoice at the Baltimore Ravens win at Super Bowl XLVII, the Parents Television Council is not in a celebratory mood. The TV watchdog group is upset that CBS aired f-bomb during its broadcast of the February 3 game.
After his team defeated the San Francisco 49ers 34-31, MVP Joe Flacco told his teammate Marshal Yanda, "This is f**ing awesome!" Microphones picked up his statement and it wasn't censored by the network.
Reacting to this, PTC president Tim Winter says, "Despite empty assurance after empty assurance from the broadcast networks that they would never air indecent material, especially during the Super Bowl, it has happened again." He adds, "No one should be surprised that a jubilant quarterback might use profane language while celebrating a career-defining win, but that is precisely the reason why CBS should have taken precautions."
"Joe Flacco's use of the f-word, while understandable, does not absolve CBS of its legal obligation to prevent profane language from being broadcast - especially during something as uniquely pervasive as the Super Bowl," Winter goes on blaming CBS. "The instance was aired live across the country, and before the FCC's designated 'Safe Harbor' time everywhere but along the East Coast."
He continues, "Now nine years after the infamous Janet Jackson incident, the broadcast networks continue to have 'malfunctions' during the most-watched television event of the year, and enough is enough."
CBS has not commented on the mishap, but people can expect Flacco to address the issue when he appears on "Late Show with David Letterman" Monday night.
The criticism of the broadcast aside, Super Bowl XLVII drew 108.41 million viewers, according to Nielsen. Though it stands as the third most-watched program in U.S. history, the number was down nearly 3 million from last year's record of 111.3 million.
"Elementary", which nabbed the post-Super Bowl spot, lured in 20.8 million viewers, marking a series high. Though so, it's far below the expectation compared to last year's post-game episode of "The Voice" which scored 37.6 million. The game delay, which was caused by power outage at the Superdome in New Orleans, pushed "Elementary" to 11:11 P.M. ET.
