FCC Won’t Act on Televised Lingerie Parade

The Federal Communications Commission dismissed complaints about a November broadcast on Walt Disney Co.’s ABC television network with models strutting on a runway dressed in Victoria’s Secret lingerie.

The commission received hundreds of complaints from viewers who described the fashion show, which aired from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m., and advertisements promoting the broadcast as indecent and inappropriate for network television. Most complaints said the broadcast, featuring clothes from the unit of Limited Inc., showed too much skin, an FCC official said.

Parent groups and some lawmakers have urged the FCC to step up enforcement against TV and radio stations that broadcast programming with strong sexual content or material considered to be indecent. Free-speech advocates say the government should be wary of censoring broadcasters.

“While we understand that you are offended by the programming described, it does not appear that we have any basis for action at this time,” FCC Enforcement Bureau Chief Charles Kelley said in a letter last week.

The show, which featured Tyra Banks, Gisele Bundchen, Heidi Klum and other fashion models, drew about 12.4 million viewers.

Disney shares fell 25 cents to $23.20 and Limited fell 27 cents to $17.70, both on the New York Stock Exchange.