169 Fox Stations to Be Fined by the FCC

The Federal Communications Commission announced they will fine 169 Fox television stations $7,000 each (or a collective $1.18 million), for violating indecency rules by airing a graphic episode of the show "Married by America" last spring.

In case you forgot, reality show "Married by America" features a group of single adults who agree to be engaged and marry without having previously met.

The commission contends an April episode of the show violated the indecency rules because of a series of sexually suggestive and explicit scenes.

"The material is gratuitous, vulgar and clearly intended to pander to and titillate," said the commission's order, which was unanimously approved by the five commissioners.

The Fox broadcasting network, which owns 25 of the stations, plans to appeal the action.

"We disagree with the F.C.C. decision and believe the content is not indecent," said Joe Early, a spokesman for the broadcasting company.

The proposed fine is the largest indecency penalty ever levied by the commission against a group of television stations. Recent fines include a proposed $550,000 fine against the CBS division of Viacom, following the now infamous "Nipplegate" incident when singer Janet Jackson's breast was exposed at the Super Bowl Halftime show, according to The New York Times.