BBC plans to limit coarse language

LONDON, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- The British Broadcasting Corp.'s head of television says the company has vowed to limit vulgar language on its airwaves next year.

The recent controversy sparked by a pre-taped, sexually explicit phone prank played by Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand on a BBC radio program prompted the decision, The Times of London reported. Brand and several executives resigned after the scandal, while Ross was suspended for three months. Ross has also been criticized for using foul language on his TV chat show.

"There was a mutual thing to push back on the language. We didn't want to get into a situation where we were pushing away part of the audience of the show," The Times quoted Director of BBC Vision Jana Bennett as saying. "There's higher sensitivity about making sure there's more discussion about slots, type of channel and genre. I think the idea that you can alienate audiences is -- even if people don't ring up -- we don't want people to be put off, even if they're silent."