The media watchdog has threatened the radio network airing The Kyle and Jackie O Show with action to force it to "rein in" the highly paid stars and stop them broadcasting "vulgar, sexually explicit and deeply offensive" content.
A months-long investigation by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) found seven breaches of Commercial Radio Code of Practice decency rules by the Australian Radio Network's (ARN) morning program on KIIS Sydney and KIIS Melbourne last year.
The decency breaches relate to broadcasts that included the airing of audio of male and female staff members urinating and references to their genitals and "graphic comments" about menstruation and oral sex, offensive descriptions of a sexual position, and a segment discussing masturbation and pornographic websites.
It also found two breaches of complaint handling rules, for failing to respond to audience complaints within the required 30 days.
ARN told the AMCA the network had one staff member preparing formal responses on behalf of both stations and that person did not understand their role and there was confusion about requests for audio that also contributed to delays.
The network's complaints handling process was overhauled late last year.
The latest breaches mean ACMA has now made 12 findings against the program, fronted by the veteran broadcasters Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson, who in 2023 reportedly signed a 10-year deal worth $200 million, this year.
ARN has been contacted for comment.
Company 'unwilling or unable to rein in these presenters'
ACMA chair Nerida O'Loughlin said there were systemic issues with the program.
"The Kyle and Jackie O Show has repeatedly and deliberately aired content that is vulgar, sexually explicit and deeply offensive,"
Ms O'Loughlin said."Even after previous breaches and the employment of additional censors required by the ACMA, the program continues to broadcast content that is unacceptable to the community."
She said action against the radio network itself was required to make the broadcasters comply with the code.
"ARN as the licensee of these stations, appears unwilling or unable to rein in these presenters," she said.
"As a result, the ACMA is currently considering enforcement actions so that ARN takes full responsibility for the content broadcast on their stations."
The on-air partners' antics on the airwaves have attracted controversy several times over the past 25 years.
In 2009, their show was taken off the air after it was found to have breached guidelines when Sandilands asked a teenage girl who had been raped about her sexual experiences while she was attached to a lie detector.