The number of complaints that the CRTC received following Radio-Canada’s New Year’s Eve broadcast of Bye Bye 2008 was surprising, says the French-language broadcaster.

‘In previous years, TV specials like that have been subject to complaints. But the reaction [to Bye Bye 2008] was over and above what we expected,’ SRC spokesperson Marc Pichette tells Playback Daily, adding that the broadcaster ‘takes good note’ of Monday’s decision by the commission.

The CRTC ruled that SRC breached provisions of its licence with the broadcast of the sketch comedy, which made references to U.S. President Barack Obama’s skin color, domestic violence and other controversial jokes. The special caused an uproar and resulted in more than 250 complaints.

‘Broadcasters must maintain high standards at all times and are responsible for the content they broadcast, including during live programs,’ commented CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein in a release, urging CBC’s French counterpart to apologize.

SRC initially stood by the show, though co-host and coproducer Véronique Cloutier and co-creator Louis Morissette later apologized.

Bye Bye 2008 originally aired on Dec. 31, 2008 at 11 p.m., and was rebroadcast the following day at 8 p.m., without viewer advisories.