It’s been another busy year for Ofcom’s broadcasting standards team. We’ve received almost 50,000 complaints about more than 8,000 TV, radio, and on-demand programmes, a clear sign that audiences care deeply about what they watch and listen to.
Every single complaint matters. We carefully review each and every one, ensuring that all broadcasters are held to the same high standards that UK viewers and listeners expect.
Importantly, today’s figures don’t include complaints about programmes on the BBC. Under the BBC Charter, these are handled by the BBC in the first instance – this is known as the BBC first process.
Complaints fall overall, but reality TV still sparks debate
Complaint numbers have fallen from 2024. And while we’ve had fewer investigations opened and closed, these levels are consistent with what we saw in 2021.
There are some genres that continue to attract scrutiny, in particular reality TV, which makes up more than half of the ten most complained about programmes. This year, around three in ten complaints to Ofcom were about Love Island, with the 2025 series totalling 14,121 complaints.
Broadcast standards in 2025
During the year, we issued updated guidance to broadcasters on the role of politicians presenting news, following a public consultation on the issue. We investigated and found that the BBC’s Gaza documentary breached the Broadcasting Code and we directed the BBC to broadcast a statement of our findings. We outlined our approach to older films and programmes on TV, to provide clarity on this issue.
So that audiences are protected wherever they are watching and listening to content, in November we launched a review of our broadcast regulation. Next year, we’ll consult on what our new video-on-demand code will look like, which will see similar rules governing broadcast TV and radio programmes extended to some on-demand services. These services will also have new accessibility requirements, such as subtitling, so more people can access this content.
The most complained about programmes to Ofcom in 2025
1. Love Island, ITV2, 24 July 2025 – 3,547 complaints
Complaints related to alleged bullying behaviour towards Shakira.
2. Love Island, ITV2, 22 July 2025 – 2,509 complaints
The majority of complaints related to alleged bullying behaviour towards Shakira. A small number were about Megan returning to the villa.
3. Love Island, ITV2, 23 July 2025 – 2,002 complaints
The majority of complaints related to alleged bullying behaviour towards Shakira. A small number were about Megan returning to the villa.
4. Vanessa, 5, 10 June 2025 – 1,866 complaints
Complainants related to a discussion on breastfeeding and its benefits, which some felt was misleading.
5. Headliners, GB News, 22 January 2025 – 1,391 complaint
Complainants objected to a presenter’s comment they believed linked the LGBTQ+ community to paedophiles. Our investigation found the live programme broke broadcasting rules by including a highly offensive remark which was not justified by the context, falling short of generally accepted standards. In addition to these complaints submitted directly by individuals to Ofcom, the Good Law Project gathered 71,851 complaints and provided them to Ofcom.
6. Today with Samantha Washington, Sky News, 7 June 2025 – 1,302 complaints
Complaints related to a section of the programme on the Madleen, a vessel trying to deliver aid to Gaza. Complainants alleged that a comment by the presenter misrepresented the mission’s peaceful nature.
7. Love Island, ITV2, 25 July 2025 – 1,296 complaints
The majority of complaints related to alleged bullying behaviour towards Shakira. We also received complaints about the way Blu spoke to Toni.
8. Love Island: All Stars, ITV2, 12 February 2025 – 1,240 complaints
Complaints related to alleged bullying behaviour between participants.
9. Celebrity Big Brother, ITV2, 9 April 2025 – 1,008 complaints
Complaints related to comments made by Mickey Rourke to JoJo Siwa.
10. The Brit Awards 2025, ITV1, 1 March 2025 – 938 complaints
Complaints related to Sabrina Carpenter’s opening dance routine, and to Charli XCX’s outfit.
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