ABC Managing Director Mark Scott has issued a formal apology to News Corp Australia commentator Chris Kenny over a Chaser sketch depicting him having sex with a dog.

Despite receiving almost 200 complaints about the sketch, the ABC's complaints department found last October that it did not breach the broadcaster's editorial policies. Mr Kenny has since begun proceedings to sue the ABC for defamation.

ABC managing director Mark Scott has apologised to News Corp columnist Chris Kenny over a Chaser skit. Credit: Mal Fairclough

On Monday, Mr Scott said in a statement: "I have come to the view with the director of television that the ABC should not have put the skit to air.