CBS opposes Super Bowl fine

The CBS television network has filed its formal opposition to the proposed $550,000 federal fine for airing indecent material on the Super Bowl halftime show, saying it didn’t know in advance of plans to expose singer Janet Jackson’s breast.

“No one at the network knew, or had reason to suspect, that the halftime show would end with a glimpse of nudity,” CBS, which is owned by Viacom Inc., said in a 78-page letter to the Federal Communications Commission. “The ‘costume reveal’ resulted from a stunt concocted by the performers themselves shortly before the show.”

The fine, announced in September, was the largest ever imposed on TV stations for indecency. If the FCC stands by its penalty, CBS can appeal to a federal appeals court.