Horizon Radio’s repeated F-bomb breach resolved by Ofcom

Horizon Radio has been resolved of its breach for broadcasting the F word on repeat for around half an hour.

Ofcom said the single word was aired continuously for at least 26 minutes during the 6pm hour on October 9th 2025, when children were particularly likely to be listening, after the station’s normal Evening Show was replaced without warning.

The incident prompted three listener complaints to Ofcom, alongside a proactive report from Horizon Radio itself, which contacted the regulator immediately after identifying the problem affecting its DAB output in Milton Keynes.

Horizon explained that its studio output is delivered to the DAB transmitter via a web stream provided by a third party, with transmission handled by a separate company.

It said the stream was compromised and replaced with a loop of offensive language without the station’s consent, which it linked to a dispute involving the stream provider and another DAB multiplex operator.

The station said the issue was identified by its managing director while listening in a car at 18:24, with immediate efforts made by senior staff to contact the transmission provider and request the service be taken off air. Horizon provided evidence showing multiple attempts to resolve the problem, with the correct service restored at 18:50.

An on-air apology was broadcast in the following hour once control of the DAB output had resumed, stating: “Earlier today you may have heard some language broadcast which may have caused offence. This was caused by circumstances outside our control, and we are very sorry for any offence this may have caused.”

Ofcom said the repeated broadcast of the word was a clear breach of Rules 1.14 and 2.3 of the Broadcasting Code, noting that the language is considered among the most offensive and requires strong contextual justification, particularly at times when children may be listening.

However, the regulator also recognised the swift action taken by Horizon, the unplanned nature of the broadcast, the on-air apology, and the station’s proactive engagement with Ofcom. Horizon has since brought all streaming operations in-house and confirmed it will no longer use the third-party provider involved.

Ofcom concluded that the matter is resolved.