The CBC breached a condition of its licence by airing an offensive representation of visible minorities in its Bye Bye 2008 Radio-Canada broadcast on Dec. 31, 2008.

The CBC's French-language wing, Radio-Canada, will have to apologize for the offensive sketches on its traditional New Year's Eve special that included an interview with a comedian suggesting Barack Obama would be easy to assassinate because the first black U.S. president would stand out against the White House.

The sketches denigrated and stereotyped visible minorities, said the CRTC, which regulates broadcasting in Canada.

The CRTC said 210 complaints poured in after the show aired.

Veronique Cloutier and Louis Morissette, the producer and head writer of the "Bye Bye," said in a rambling news conference at the height of the controversy that they aren't racists and only intended to present an edgy comedy show.

CRTC President Konrad Von Fickenstein warned Radio-Canada it would have to implement measures to ensure the situation does not reoccur.

With files from The Canadian Press