ABC Pays Million Dollar Fine to FCC

Even though ABC has appealed the Federal Communications Commission's fine to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, the network paid $1,237,500 in fines for its two owned stations and the 43 other affiliates cited, Thursday.

The fine was levied earlier this week because of a naked behind seen in NYPD Blue. The FCC gave all parties involved until Thursday to pay the fine, broadcastingcable.com reports.

ABC said that the fine needed to be paid before the decision could be appealed in court.

"ABC contends that the FCC order is arbitrary and capricious, contrary to the commission's own standards and past decisions, and in violation of the indecency statute and the First Amendment," ABC said in a statement announcing both the payment and appeal of the fine.

The ABC Television Affiliates Association also opposed the FCC's NYPD Blue indecency fine and says that it will support the appeal.

The FCC is currently fighting with the television networks on two other fronts. The first is with Fox on a profanity decision, and the second on CBS' appeal of the Janet Jackson-Super Bowl fine.