OTTAWA — The national broadcast regulator has beaten down a complaint about MTV’s Bully Beatdown.
An anti-bullying activist had complained to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission about the show, saying it sent all the wrong messages about violence and bullying.
The show offers a chance for victims to get even with their neighbourhood or family bully with the services of a mixed martial artist.
The bully and the fighter are put in a ring during the show, with cash going to the bully or the victim depending on how the match goes. The show is hosted by MMA champion Jason “Mayhem” Miller.
The Canadian Broadcasting Standards Council had already said the show didn’t break any of the industry’s internal rules about the portrayal of violence on TV, and the CRTC upheld that view on appeal.
The regulator agreed with MTV Canada that the show doesn’t glamorize violence, and promotes discussion about bullying. It said the show doesn’t break any of the industry’s rules about the portrayal of violence on TV.