Ofcom adult broadcasting and R18

[Paul Tavener]

Wouldn’t it be so much more convenient if Sky were to broadcast xxx R18 content? Instead of extra dishes, CAM’s and other bits and pieces anyone with access to Sky could watch explicit content after a simple phone call, it would be hugely popular, so why don’t they? The answer of course is the ITC programme code – nothing must be broadcast that offends against taste and decency (ha!) and transgressions are liable to lead to 5 figure fines etc. So the idea was a non-starter, until now…

No I’m not joking. It is now entirely reasonable to expect hardcore content on domestic subscription services some time later this year. In case you are still not convinced here are a few points worth bearing in mind:

The legal requirement to ensure that taste and decency are maintained at all times has been dropped. The Communications Act 2003 has replaced it by a requirement to ensure that “generally accepted standards” are maintained instead.

The DCMS have abandoned proscribing (banning) foreign services ever since the BBFC permitted hardcore on video in 2000 and thousands now watch foreign xxx content.

Ofcom have yet to decide what “generally accepted standards” should mean, but R18 is the generally accepted standard for adult video and Ofcom are required to apply consistent, proportionate and joined up regulation. They are also required to regulate in the interests of consumers and citizens. So how many consumers “in relevant markets” would agree that the existing regulatory arrangements are satisfactory?

Although Ofcom replaced the ITC on the 29th December, the Communication Act ensures that the old ITC rules will remain in force until Ofcom creates new rules. Ofcom are planning to review all broadcasting standards in the first half of 2004 and will be holding public consultations before they do this. The date for the standards consultation is likely to be announced on the 19th January and will probably be sometime between February and June 2004.

There is no guarantee that Ofcom will deregulate, but it’s likely if enough people are prepared to take part in the public consultation when it is announced. Any one who wants to take part or wants more information can contact me at admin@ofwatch.org.uk and I will let you know what is going on. Details will also be announced on this board (moderators permitting) and at www.ofwatch.org.uk and www.ofcom.org.uk.

In the mean time the BBFC are conducting their own survey on the publics view on standards for sex and violence in video and film at all categories including R18, which you might be interested in completing, as it is also likely to effect adult satellite via Ofcom’s requirement for consistency. It only takes a few minutes, visit www.bbfc.org.uk and the survey appears in a popup window the first time you visit.

[Channel Hopper]

The Communications Act 2003 has replaced it by a requirement to ensure that “generally accepted standards” are maintained instead

If thats the case then with one viewing of programme content on Hispasat would mean UK transmissions wouldnt even have to be encrypted.

The UK follows a completely different path to the rest of the continent, both in censorship, and the complete lack of competition with terrestrial or satellite framework. The broadcasters keep to their own individual networks, franchises and mediums, and the content is down entirely to the revenue back from the channels. Pornography of the type seen in Europe is unlikely to increase the income to these channels, even if thre laws are relaxed.

The need for receiving hardcore however has little to do with the enthusiasts that scour space for additional channels based on information from this site (well most of them anyway). The sight of more than just a nipple would probably lead to most here getting a thick ear from the other half.

[waverider]

Ouch! that's right hopper..........(Cauliflower ears!) and I reckon 99% of woman have a built in radar detection system that wakes em up if you do peek at these channels, even when they’re upstairs!........my womans equipped with stealth!...So I have locked these channels out, if she found out they could be viewed.... my STB would end up in the fish pond at the bottom of the garden m8.

[Paul Tavener]

If thats the case then with one viewing of programme content on Hispasat would mean UK transmissions wouldnt even have to be encrypted.

Pornography of the type seen in Europe is unlikely to increase the income to these channels, even if thre laws are relaxed.

The sight of more than just a nipple would probably lead to most here getting a thick ear from the other half.

Programme content would definitely have to be encrypted due to other requirements in the Communications Act to protect the public from offence etc.

If harcore were to be permitted on UK domestic services the adult service providers would make a fortune (Playboy seem very keen). A lot of people do not subscribe because they don't want softcore content. The media bruhaha that would result from deregulation would produce a huge amount of publicity and interest.

Perhaps I have got the wrong end of the stick concerning this forum. I assumed that this was an adult satellite discussion group. Is this not the case? Am I posting in the wrong group here? BTW My wife is not particularly bothered about what I watch.

[Channel Hopper]

It is an adult discussion part of the forum

What do you think has been missed in the thread so far ? or are you under the impression that all viewers should be participating in the survey links posted ?

[waverider]

Anyway if Sky did start broadcasting porn....OR!....something I much prefer to watch such as LIVE! football REGULAR! on a SATURDAY! afternoon GREEDY!..'Rupert Fat Wallet Murdoch' still wouldnt get another bean out of me as I have just told them to poke their repeats and mainly crapp programs for £38.00 pr month up their arses!......I am quite contented now with my sat system which provides me live footy free! (FTA and legal!)....The business of Sky (Playboy tv) wanting to broadcast porn is just pure greed...as they cannot bare to lose out to those european companys whom can legally do it.......and are making nice profits....For what it's worth I hope Sky or any other company that broadcasts legally in the UK never get their way! let's keep the UK TV clean as we can as there is enough shit and violence already out there without adding smut to it too!

[Channel Hopper]

..as they cannot bare .....

A Freudian slip methinks

[waverider]

LOL....could say that hopper!.....just me doin me bit on me soap box!

[Paul Tavener]

Anyway if Sky did start broadcasting porn....OR!....something I much prefer to watch such as LIVE! football REGULAR! on a SATURDAY! afternoon GREEDY!..'Rupert Fat Wallet Murdoch' still wouldnt get another bean out of me as I have just told them to poke their repeats and mainly crapp programs for £38.00 pr month up their arses!......I am quite contented now with my sat system which provides me live footy free! (FTA and legal!)....The business of Sky (Playboy tv) wanting to broadcast porn is just pure greed...as they cannot bare to lose out to those european companys whom can legally do it.......and are making nice profits....For what it's worth I hope Sky or any other company that broadcasts legally in the UK never get their way! let's keep the UK TV clean as we can as there is enough shit and violence already out there without adding smut to it too!

Yes Playboy etc may be greedy etc but this is a point of principle regarding the rights and wrongs of censorship and what the viewers want, never mind Playboy.



On the other hand perhaps I’m wrong. Perhaps we ought to have a little more censorship… perhaps all direct shots at goal should be edited out of football (to prevent over excitement / beer spillage etc)

[jimbo]

The business of Sky (Playboy tv) wanting to broadcast porn is just pure greed...as they cannot bare to lose out to those european companys whom can legally do it

I think you'll find that Playboy own Spice Platinum which is a successful 'European' hardcore channel. So they aren't exactly losing out.

[Channel Hopper]

as you say - what the viewers want

Who do you ask ?

Those already on a subscription system without pornography ?
Those with subscription to an existing offshore erotic channel ?
Those that can view foreign TV within the UK and receive additional erotic channels by any means ?
A general proportion of the whole of the UK satellite and non satellite viewing public ?

Without checking ALL the above options, its impossible to find if a R18 channel (or greater) is likely to be favourably viewed, for the purpose of checking how far the content would be deemed
1) suitable for all
2) enough to satisfy
3) profitable for the provider
4) likely to succeed when pitched in with the competition
5) continue to be profitable

One supplier of satellite goods in E London is always promoting 'new' hard core channels from satellite, all of which seem (allegedly) to have similar content and are in most ways contain content able to morph into each new channel.

Its a clever way of introducing new and relatively young viewers into satellite, riske TV has always been quite an incentive to tell the neighbours to get stuffed when the sun blocker goes up, but its simply not the mainstay of most viewers - there are only 107 sexual positions anyway, with or without the divers helmet and/or swarfega.

[Channel Hopper]

If harcore were to be permitted on UK domestic services

Sorry Paul, I forgot to add the question, why does it have to be UK domestic services ? I know its the most convenient way of finding the greatest number of potential viewers - but it introduces the risk of the whole family from being unwittingly targeted.

The one with the big dish that creaks in cold weather at the bottom of the garden is going to have a far better idea of what is already available (sometimes R18+ without encryption ) in order that a potential broadcaster can find what is likely to titilate.

Trouble is, the clever ones dont have to pay any council for permisson to install equipment, or pay for cards/buy CAMS to view them, so finding them is going to be a bit of a bitch. Congratulations though for asking on this forum.

[waverider]

[Quote] ''On the other hand perhaps I’m wrong. Perhaps we ought to have a little more censorship… perhaps all direct shots at goal should be edited out of football (to prevent over excitement / beer spillage etc)''
************************************************** *************

I think that was taking your thread a bit too far Paul...as you where actually saying that ''It be so much more convenient if Sky were to broadcast xxx R18 content? Instead of extra dishes''..... I feel that a direct shot at goal is not quite the same as a direct shot over the face...as some guy dumps his sacks over some well paid whore!......with out wishing to offend you further more, my feelings are that the ITC/Ofcom have got things right as far as censorship goes with UK TV......Have you ever stopped to think that many of us on this site actually enjoy buying CAMS erecting dishes etc...as Satellite tv of this nature becomes an enjoyable hobby and not just pointing the remote to switch on the Digibox!....the added bonus is..yes we can watch porn if we choose (and there are people on here that do!) but also view other channels FTA which Sky would just instantly charge extra for, on top of now which is a staggering £40.00 PM!....(40% of my council tax) you may feel that people involved with this side of Sat TV are nerds for being involved in such gadgets when a Digibox without the extra equipment could be the answer.... but I speak for all of us here that along with learning and the headaches it is a good hobby and helps to slow down the monopoly of Rupert Murdoch's empire (or should I say his daughter)....I shudder to think without the Satellite equipment sold today the majority of us here would be subscribing to Sky TV...and what kind of wealth and power Sky would then have?

[Razor]

There are channels waiting in the wings for any sign of weakness from the censures, they have the content and are ready.

In some cases it will be cheaper for them as now they have to cut their SHOTS so to speak in order to stay within the guidelines at present. These are by and large, well run channels, and very good at what they do, they have been on the Sky platform for a long time. Some of the newer additions to the Sky platform may not be well run and here in lies the dilemma for the regulators ( can they open the flood gates with these channels around ), the answer = NO.

Then there is the unknown quantity….The Friendly TV’s ( Babecast ) of this world, channels like this have been pushing the limits for some time now. What would these channels do if the shackles where loosened, I for one hope things stay as they are and no hardcore is allowed on home TV.

There are places to go if one wants HC, those who really want it will find it, and those who do not, will never see it even by accident.

[waverider]

EXACTLY!....well put razor........P.S still cant find Guiness Foreign Export yet!...any suggestions?...I mean where to buy in the UK!

[Razor]

Ask your local offlicence to stock it, or even to order a case just for you.

But never Drink and Sail.

[waverider]

''Ah life on the ocean wave'' Hic!.....tell me razor is this stuff xxx?

[Razor]

You may find HC faster then the black stuff ( as it is called here )

[waverider]

HC?....explain please razor!

[Razor]

HC = Hardcore

[waverider]

LOL...and theres me thinking you were gonna give me the name of another wicked Irish brew!......As for watching porn I would sooner sink another bottle of that evil Guiness....it F**king nocks you sensless....no wonder the Irish are always singing!....I wonder if the Welsh have a brew like that too?

[billy the goat]

i find this subject totally bemusing.

I've now lived in Belgium 10 years a country where you can get hard core films 6 nights per week by signing up to the main movie channel here in belgium CANAL+

The UK laws are out of date with modern times, they come from a time when it was no sex before marriage and women were dying from backstreet abortions. Hiding this under the carpet calling it dirty, smutty and forcing your views on what someone over 18 can watch is not right.

I can think of 2 more damaging LEGAL pastimes in the UK which are taxed by HM treasury.

Time to wake up UK and smell the coffee, oh and any of you paying for those terrible low budget UK teaser channels you are being well ripped off...


My 2 euro cents worth.

Billy.

PS for the footie fan out there I too get live premiership on sunday afternoon, loads of films and a prono via canal + all for 20 quid so put that in yer pipe and smoke it.

Sky = MONOPOLY = RIPOFF

[Channel Hopper]

In Belgium you can get decent beer almost anywhere - double/ tripple boc, Duvel etc, all superb at getting two pairs of boobs on the screen, when only one wench is stripping

[jimbo]

As for watching porn I would sooner sink another bottle of that evil Guiness

I would have thought either pursuit would have a good head.

[waverider]

i find this subject totally bemusing.

I've now lived in Belgium 10 years a country where you can get hard core films 6 nights per week by signing up to the main movie channel here in belgium CANAL+

The UK laws are out of date with modern times, they come from a time when it was no sex before marriage and women were dying from backstreet abortions. Hiding this under the carpet calling it dirty, smutty and forcing your views on what someone over 18 can watch is not right.

I can think of 2 more damaging LEGAL pastimes in the UK which are taxed by HM treasury.

Time to wake up UK and smell the coffee, oh and any of you paying for those terrible low budget UK teaser channels you are being well ripped off...


My 2 euro cents worth.

Billy.

PS for the footie fan out there I too get live premiership on sunday afternoon, loads of films and a prono via canal + all for 20 quid so put that in yer pipe and smoke it.

Sky = MONOPOLY = RIPOFF

Totaly agree about the Sky bit m8 as it was Sky I was attacking for ripping people off!....but I hate to deflate you we also get footy and porn over here, providing you have a satellite sytem that is........and a lot of it is free!