Jackson’s Super Bowl ‘wardrobe malfunction’ costs CBS $550,000

US FEDERAL regulators today fined TV network CBS a record $550,000 for Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction”, which exposed the singer’s breast during this year’s Super Bowl halftime show.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted unanimously to fine each of the 20 CBS-owned television stations with the maximum indecency penalty of $27,500. The total penalty of $550,000 is the largest fine levied against a TV broadcaster. Most of the FCC’s bigger fines have been against radio stations.

The commission decided not to fine over 200 CBS affiliate stations, which also aired the show but are not owned by the network’s parent company, Viacom.