Married At First Sight under investigation by the broadcast watchdog over domestic violence themes

TV Show Married At First Sight is being investigated by the Australian broadcast watchdog, with two episodes under scrutiny for the handling of domestic violence themes.

MAFS 2025 experts Alessandra Rampolla, Mel Schilling and John Aiken. Picture: Nine

Married At First Sight is officially being investigated by the broadcast watchdog.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority is looking into allegations that the Channel 9 show aired scenes containing domestic violence themes in two episodes that potentially breached broadcast classification guidelines.

The ACMA confirmed this week that it had launched the investigation.

“The ACMA has received five complaints regarding the current season of Married At First Sight from people who have complained to the broadcaster, but were not satisfied with the response they received,” the ACMA said in a statement to the Sunday Herald Sun.

“The ACMA is investigating allegations that an episode broadcast on February 26, 2025 contained domestic violence themes that exceeded the episode’s M classification and that an episode broadcast on March 2, 2025 also contained domestic violence themes that exceeded the episode’s PG classification.”

Married At First Sight 2025 experts Alessandra Rampolla, John Aiken and Mel Schilling. Picture: Instagram

In those two episodes, Nine aired footage of a bride describing the moment her partner punched a hole in the wall after an argument.

The groom admitted to punching the wall, however, image of the hole itself was never featured in the episodes.

Married At First Sight was a huge ratings success for Nine this year and the odd behaviour between certain couples generated online intrigue and water cooler chatter.

The show’s relationship experts John Aiken, Mel Schilling, and Alessandra Rampolla were kept busy throughout the series pulling contestants into line and giving feedback to cranky couples.