News and current affairs programmes triggered the most TV-related complaints to Ofcom during the past 12 months, according to the regulator’s official top 10.
- Shows on GB News, Sky News and ITV1 dominate the top 10.
- Dan Wootton show on GB News resulted in 8,867 complaints to Ofcom
- Reality shows produced fewer complaints in 2023.
During 2023, audience complaints about standards on TV continued to make the headlines with news coverage of the Israel Gaza conflict, the Coronation of King Charles and celebrity on-screen spats featuring in Ofcom’s top 10.
For Ofcom, complaints are a vital barometer for how audiences think and feel. Over the course of the last year, it recorded 69,236 complaints about 9,638 cases. That’s nearly twice as many complaints versus 2022. However, the two most complained about programmes of the year make up nearly a quarter of the total TV complaints to Ofcom
Importantly, this number doesn’t include complaints about programmes on the BBC. Under the BBC Charter, these must be handled by the BBC in the first instance.
GB News made its debut in the top 10 most complained about shows, with the infamous 26th September edition of Dan Wootton Tonight resulting in 8,867 complaints. Lee Anderson’s interview with Suella Braverman on 29th September triggered 1,697 complaints to Ofcom.
Meanwhile, Kay Burley on Sky News generated enough complaints to feature twice in the top 10. Love Island, 2022’s most complained about TV programme dropped to tenth in Ofcom’s list.
▶ Most complained about TV shows in 2023
- Dan Wootton Tonight, GB News, 26 September 2023 – Viewers objected to the misogynistic comments made by Laurence Fox about journalist Ava Evans. Ofcom’s investigation is ongoing.
- King Charles III: The Coronation, ITV1, 6 May 2023 – The majority of complaints related to a comment made by actress Adjoa Andoh during the live broadcast, which focused on the appearance of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
- Good Morning Britain, ITV1, 17 October 2023 – Complaints about the presenter’s line of questioning towards MP Layla Moran.
- Jeremy Vine, Channel 5, 13 March 2023 – Complaints from viewers about a discussion on the junior doctors’ pay dispute.
- Breakfast with Kay Burley, Sky News, 23 November 2023 – Kay Burley’s line of questioning during an interview with Israeli spokesperson, Eylon Levy triggered complaints to Ofcom, which it said it would not be pursuing further.
- Lee Anderson’s Real World, GB News, 29 September 2023 – Complaints related to Lee Anderson’s interview with Suella Braverman, on the grounds that they are both Conservative MPs.
- Breakfast with Kay Burley, Sky News, 10 October 2023 – Complainants alleged Kay Burley misrepresented comments made by the Palestinian ambassador.
- Naked Education, Channel 4, 4 April 2023 – Pre-watershed nudity drew complaints from viewers. Ofcom said it was OK.
- This Morning, ITV1, 18 December 2023 – Complaints related to comments made by Vanessa Feltz about coeliac disease. Ofcom is still investigating.
- Love Island, ITV2, 9 July 2023 – The majority of complaints about this episode related to bullying against Scott.
[Ofcom data]
During the year, Ofcom also imposed sanctions on four broadcasters for content breaches, including a £40,000 fine to the Islam channel and £10,000 to Ahlebait TV, both for broadcasting antisemitic content.
Marc Thornham