Ofcom Launches Investigation into X Factor over ‘Raunchy’ Final Performances

Over a week after the actual performances aired live, media watchdog Ofcom has announced it will investigate the thousands of complaints received over Christina Aguilera and Rihanna’s “raunchy” performances on the first part of the final show of the season.

As we also reported at the time, both performances were before the 9 pm watershed, which meant children were most likely watching since X Factor is billed as a family program.

Most viewers objected to the two performers’ skimpy outfits, but their dance routines also managed to get them pretty furious because neither Christina nor Rihanna toned down their moves one bit.

According to the Daily Mail, over 4,500 complaints from viewers have been received, and Ofcom, UK’s media watchdog, has announced an investigation into the matter.

If the network airing X Factor, ITV, is found guilty of breaching broadcasting rules, it may have to pay a fine and issue an apology for allowing the performances on air before the watershed.

“The media regulator and ITV have received almost 4,500 complaints about the ‘disgusting’ routines shown before the 9pm watershed. The show faces a big fine and ITV could be asked to apologize if it is found to have broken rules,” the Mail writes.

“After days of deliberation the TV watchdog yesterday confirmed it would look at whether the performances of US pop stars Christina Aguilera and Rihanna were inappropriate for a family audience,” the tab further writes.

Initially, viewers thought Ofcom was waiting for the scandal to die down before the investigation – and this is why it postponed launching an investigation when it clearly had good reason to do the exact contrary.

“The TV watchdog will look at whether the show broke the broadcasting code which seeks to protect children from [inappropriate] content. Ofcom has received 2,750 complaints with an additional 1,500 being registered directly with ITV,” the Mail says.

Oddly enough, while X Factor bosses and the judges on the show have been very vocal about everything else related to the show, including rumored preferential treatment for contestants like Katie Waissel and Cher Lloyd, they’ve said nothing about viewers’ outrage over Aguilera and Rihanna’s performances.