The historic and controversial halftime performance by Bad Bunnyat Super Bowl LX has closed its legal chapter, but not the cultural debate. After days of political scrutiny and an exhaustive review of the translated lyrics, the Federal Communications Commission has issued a verdict clearing the Puerto Rican artist of sanctions, based on a technical analysis of the broadcast.
Bad Bunny’s performance was controversial from the moment his participation was announced. First, Donald Trump stated that he did not approve of the choice, and later he himself criticized the show after it aired.
The situation escalated when an investigation was launched to determine whether the content violated the FCC’s strict rules, which prohibit the broadcast of indecent material on free-to-air television between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.
According to regulatory reports, the artist’s production team took preventive measures that proved crucial to the final ruling. Sources close to the agency confirmed that the songs by Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio were rigorously modified: “The aberrant language was either changed or bleeped out,” as reported by the New York Post.
Paradoxically, Bad Bunny’s decision to perform entirely in his native language served as an unexpected legal “shield” before regulators.
“One problem with any possible FCC inquiry is that Bad Bunny sang in Spanish. So presumably, when the FCC managed to get a translation of what was actually said, the evidence of rule violations seemed thin at best,” the Post report detailed.
With no evidence of explicit language in the transmitted audio signal, the agency determined there were insufficient grounds to proceed with fines or legal action.
Impact on the masses: The “Conejo Malo” record audience
Despite the political criticism, according to data from Nielsen, Bad Bunny’s performance reached an estimated audience of 123.4 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched television events in United States history.
This figure underscores the dilemma facing the league: balancing the pursuit of new global markets with the sensitivities of its more traditional fan base. Some rumors suggest that another Latin artist could headline the next Super Bowl following this success, though that possibility could spark tension among more traditional audiences.
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