Ofcom criticised the BBC's coverage of the event held last July, pointing out that it had "vast experience of covering live events" and saying that, despite the difficulties of policing such an event, it remained responsible for ensuring its output did not contravene the code.
Snoop Dogg was singled out in particular for his performance, described as "a stream of expletives and racist terms". The BBC said that it had been told the rapper would be using "TV versions" of his songs and that his record company had apologised to the corporation after the performance.
There were other incidents of swearing, including Green Day's performance of 'American Idiot', which was broadcast before 6pm. Ofcom's report highlighted the fact that as well as the expletives used by performers, the BBC's subtitles also included swearing.
Ofcom criticised the BBC for failing to ensure that a senior editorial figure responsible for monitoring output, who could have authorised to broadcast an apology or a cutaway to the studio, was on duty.
"We consider the BBC should have anticipated an audience for this event which would include a significant number of children; and we therefore consider that the broadcast of this material was inappropriate, compounded by the lack of any apology," Ofcom said in its ruling.
Separately, Chris Moyles, host of BBC Radio 1's breakfast show, has apologised after swearing on air at a listener who had called in. Moyles said the caller's children were "fucking brats" after they made too much noise in the background of a phone-in quiz.
Moyles apologised immediately, saying: "You can definitely come round and wash my mouth out with soap and water. I'm so sorry, I do apologise. And I never use bad language."
Reports say that the BBC received 11 complaints about the broadcast but that Moyles was not given a formal reprimand.
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