The possibility of MultiChoice broadcasting pornography has been laid to rest.

The company has decided against broadcasting pornography and the possibility of new sex channels on DStv's satellite service.

Since the end of last month, several nutter groups have had predictably vehement reactions against the idea.

MultiChoice has announced that it had studied research data compiled by means of a subscriber survey to determine how viewers feel about adult content on pay TV channels. According to a statement, the research showed that a significant percentage of subscribers are opposed to adult channels, while some don't mind, and another significant percentage are in favour.

Nolo Letele, MultiChoice chief executive, said it's a pity that people interpreted the research as if the decision had already been made. According to him, such research often includes questions about content which has been requested by subscribers, or channels which are popular abroad: The survey three weeks ago focussed on adult content since our industry will soon be facing competition in South Africa.

Bang Babes is an adult sex chat service, owned and operated by Bang Channels Limited, and available freely without mandatory restricted access on the channels Tease Me and Tease Me 3 (Sky channel numbers 912 and 959). Both channels are situated in the adult section of the Sky electronic programme guide (EPG). These channels broadcast programmes after the 21:00 watershed based on interactive 'adult' sex chat services: viewers are invited to contact onscreen female presenters via premium rate telephony services (PRS). The female presenters dress and behave in a sexually provocative way while encouraging viewers to contact the PRS numbers.

Ofcom have published another set of multiple whinges about these programmes:

Bang Babes, Tease Me, 7 November 2009, 23:30

Ofcom noted that the broadcast featured two presenters. Both women were topless. The presenter in black was shown apparently licking and spitting on the other presenter's genital area. She also pulled down the other presenter's thong, pulled her buttocks apart and licked her anal area. During the broadcast the presenter in black was shown bent over on all fours with her thong moved to the side to briefly reveal her genital area. The presenters licked and sucked each other's breasts. The broadcast also included close up shots between the presenters' legs while they apparently touched and rubbed each other's genital area.

Bang Babes, Tease Me, 13 November 2009, 23:00

Ofcom noted that the broadcast featured a presenter wearing a black thong and black stockings. Her top was pulled down to reveal her breasts. During the broadcast she adopted various sexual positions, including kneeling on all fours with her buttocks to camera and also lying on her back with her legs spread wide apart. While doing so the presenter repeatedly: pulled her buttocks apart to reveal her anus and genital area; spat on her fingers and vigorously rubbed saliva around her anal and genital area and rubbed her thong against her genitals; opened her legs to expose extensive labial detail; mimed the insertion of an object into her anus and the performance of oral sex on a man using her fingers; and spat saliva over her breasts.

Bang Babes, Tease Me, 24 November 2009, 22:00- 23:59

This broadcast featured two presenters. One presenter was wearing black fishnet stockings and a black thong. She was not wearing a top. The other presenter was wearing a red bra pulled down to expose her breasts, a red thong and red 9 stockings with large holes in them. During the broadcast the presenters were shown apparently licking each other's genital and anal area in a realistic way and on one occasion this act was carried out while one of the presenters had pulled her thong to the side. The presenters also licked each other's breasts, spat into each other's mouths and apparently simulated masturbation on each other in a realistic way by rubbing each other's genital area. The presenter in black was also shown miming oral sex using a phone and lightly slapping the other presenter across the face.

Bang Babes, Tease Me, 25 November 2009, 00:00 - 05.30

This broadcast also featured two presenters. One presenter was wearing a skimpy pink thong, pink socks and pink fingerless gloves. Her pink bra was pulled down to expose her breasts. The other presenter was wearing a skimpy red thong and black fishnet stockings. Her black fishnet top was pulled down to show her breasts. During the broadcast the presenter wearing pink pulled the other presenter's thong to the side and briefly but clearly inserted a lollypop into her vagina. The two presenters then sucked the lollypop. In addition, the presenters were shown bent over on all fours at various times, and due to the skimpy thongs they were wearing genital and anal detail was shown. The presenters touched and apparently licked each other's genital and anal areas in a realistic way. The presenters were also shown: miming the insertion of an object into their anus; miming oral sex using their fingers and a phone; spanking each other; and licking each other's breasts.

Promotion of the www.bangbabes.tv website address

In addition, after viewing the content complained of Ofcom noted that during all four broadcasts the website www.bangbabes.tv was promoted. When accessed by Ofcom this website featured images of a strong sexual nature equivalent to BBFC R18-rated material (R18-rated equivalent material) which could be readily viewed without appropriate protections.

Ofcom considered:

• Rule 1.24 ('adult-sex' material is restricted to overnight services with mandatory restricted access)
• Rule 2.1 (generally accepted standards)
• Rule 2.3 (material which may cause offence must be justified by context) of the Code.

And predictably Ofcom found that all of these rules had been Breached

Ofcom also had a whinge about the following programmes where recordings weren't made available.

Tease Me, 31 October 2009, 00:00-05.30
Tease Me 3, 31 October 2009, 00:00-05.30
Tease Me, 5 November 2009, 00:00-05.30
Tease Me, 15 November 2009, 00:00-05.30
Tease Me 2, 24 November 2009, 22:00- 23:59

The Licensee said that on 30 November 2009 Ofcom requested recordings of five separate transmissions representing over twenty hours of broadcast footage. It added that it has invested heavily in developing off-air recording technology, which would facilitate the making of recordings. However, it stated that even the most advanced and robust of systems would have huge difficulty downloading over twenty hours of video footage.  It estimated that Ofcom's request cost its compliance team over eighty man hours or two working weeks.

So Ofcom also recorded a Breach of Licence Condition 11 (Retention and production of recordings)

Ofcom ended with the note:

On 8 February 2010 in Broadcast Bulletin 151 Ofcom published a number of breaches of the Code against Bang Channels Ltd. On 22 February 2010 in Broadcast Bulletin 152, Ofcom published further breaches of the Code. Broadcast Bulletin 152 also contained breach findings recorded against another Licensee, Bang Media (London) Ltd. These decisions relate to Bang Media's channel on Freeview, Tease Me TV. In the current Broadcast Bulletin (153) Ofcom has published further breaches of the Code.

Ofcom considers these breaches to be both serious and repeated. As is made clear in Broadcast Bulletins 151, 152 and 153 these breaches are serious and/or repeated and are therefore being considered by Ofcom for statutory sanction. Bang Media and Bang Channels are controlled by the same person and all editorial compliance decisions regarding both Bang Media and Bang Channels are taken by one compliance team.

For these reasons Ofcom will consider for sanction together all serious and/or repeated Code or licence breaches for which Bang Media and Bang Channels are responsible.

Comment: Look Again Ofcom

11th March 2010. from IanG

Ofcom said: "In addition, after viewing the content complained of Ofcom noted that during all four broadcasts the website www.bangbabes.tv was promoted. When accessed by Ofcom this website featured images of a strong sexual nature equivalent to BBFC R18-rated material (R18-rated equivalent material) which could be readily viewed without appropriate protections".

This is still an outright LIE Ofcom. There was/is no such material on this site available without a credit card and age verified subscription. And more to the point, YOU'RE not qualified nor empowered by law to make any such judgements. Strong sexual material means real, unsimulated, explicit sex acts - that's according to the BBFC's clear, concise, published guidelines. There was/is NO such material on this site available to anyone who isn't a verified adult subscribing member.

YOU need a refresher in what R18 ACTUALLY looks like Ofcom, because clearly, you've got some very strange and incorrect ideas about it.

Friendly TV, 3 April 2009 to 5 July 2009 Bedroom TV, 4 April 2009 to 22 April 2009

Both Friendly TV and Bedroom TV provide daytime chat and (post watershed) adult sex chat services encouraging viewers to call a premium rate service (PRS) telephone number and talk to an onscreen presenter.

Bedroom TV ceased broadcasting in November 2009. Friendly TV ceased broadcasting in January 2010.

Springdoo Media Ltd owns and operates the television service Friendly TV.  User Generated Broadcasting Ltd owns and operates the television service Bedroom TV. Springdoo Media Limited and User Generated Broadcasting Limited are sister companies under common ownership and control. All editorial compliance decisions regarding the companies were taken by a centralised compliance team.

On 26 February 2010, Ofcom published its decision to impose a statutory sanction on Springdoo Media Limited in respect of its Friendly TV service, for seriously and repeatedly breaching the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and for failing to comply with condition 11 of its Television Licensable Content Service Licence (licence). Ofcom also published its decision to impose a statutory sanction on User Generated Broadcasting Limited in respect of its Bedroom TV service, also for failing to comply with condition 11 of its licence.

Summary of Decisions

Springdoo Media Limited (owner of Friendly TV) was found in breach of the following Code rules:

• Rule 1.6: transition to more adult material post-watershed
• Rule 2.1: generally accepted standards
• Rule 2.3: material that may cause offence must be justified by context.

Ofcom found Springdoo Media Limited in breach of these rules due to the following conduct:

• Broadcasting strong and explicit sexual images which were not suitable for broadcast in the period immediately following the 21:00 watershed on a service which was freely available to view without access restrictions (breach of Rule 1.6). The broadcast of such images, so close to the watershed, caused serious concern for Ofcom.
• Broadcasting sexual material that would have exceeded the expectations of viewers watching a channel without access restrictions, especially those who may have come across this content unawares (breaches of Rules 2.1 and 2.3).

Ofcom imposed a financial penalty of £6,000 in respect of these Code breaches by Springdoo Media Limited.

Springdoo Media Limited (owner of Friendly TV) and User Generated Broadcasting Limited (owner of Bedroom TV) were also both found in breach of  Licence Condition 11: The Licensee shall adopt procedures acceptable to Ofcom for the retention and production of recordings in sound and vision of any programme which is the subject matter of a Standards Complaint

Ofcom imposed financial penalties on Springdoo Media Limited and User Generated Broadcasting Limited of £6,000 and £12,000 respectively for breaches of condition 11 of their licences.

In total, Ofcom imposed a total financial penalty of £24,000.

DStv, the South African satellite pay-TV is considering broadcasting pornography in one if its channels or creating a new channel, Die Burger newspaper reports.

The newspaper reports that MultiChoice has been immersed with requests for adult entertainment on DStv.

Jackie Rakitla, general manager of corporate affairs at MultiChoice, is quoted as saying: At this stage we're merely doing research to determine the extent of interest in adult content, and we're looking at the feasibility of implementing such a service.

MultiChoice is looking different broadcasting options, such as the broadcasting of mixed pornography - hardcore porn between 21:00 and 05:00 and soft porn between 05:00 and 21:00 – or hardcore porn 24 hours per day, or soft porn 24 hours per day on DStv.

Nutters Unimpressed

Based on article from mg.co.za

If DSTV went ahead with plans for a channel featuring pornographic content, it would be like pouring fuel on the fires of sexual abuse and exploitation, the Christian Action Network have claimed.

CAN international coordinator Taryn Hodgson said in a statement that considering the high incidents of rape, child abuse and sexual violence against women, it was unacceptable for DSTV to be be considering a porn channel.

Should DSTV introduce such a channel they would be supporting those that exploit, objectify and degrade women, she said: Porn violates women's constitutional rights to dignity and equality.

CAN has urged its affiliates, who are DSTV subscribers, to fill in the channel's online survey on the issue. Should DSTV go ahead with such a channel, the Christian Action Network will urge its affiliates to cancel their DSTV subscriptions, Hodgson said.

Update: Ministry of No Fun

9th March 2010. Based on article from eyewitnessnews.co.za

IMinister of Women, Children and Persons with Disabilities Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya said she would fight the launch of a DSTV pornography channel.

I think melonfarmers maybe interested to know a group of members at www.babeshows.co.uk forum and myself are launching a new campaign/organisation to represent adult viewers in the UK.

We are calling ourselves BACVA (Babe and Adult Channel Viewers Association) and our campaign blogsite is at www.bacva.blogspot.com.

We would welcome anyone interested in improving the rights of adult viewers to view adult material on UK TV to join us.

From www.bacva.blogspot.com

Re Ofcom's ongoing assault on Babe channels

Ofcom's hypocrisy is self-evident. Of the dozens of hardcore channels available in the UK via non-$ky satellite systems, Ofcom have proscribed (banned) just one in the last 5 years, despite the fact these systems have no mandatory PIN protections and children under 18 could easily access them. Moreover, Ofcom received over 30,000 complaints re the BBC airing Jerry Springer: The opera and did nothing, nada, zip, ziltch. Yet they get ONE complaint from some over-sensitive desexualised cretin and launch a full frontal attack on programmes many tens of thousands of people are quite happy with. It's not Democratic, balanced or remotely right. Indeed, it is discriminatory and likely illegal sexual discrimination on the grounds of our orientation toward open acceptance of sexually explicit material in favour of those who wish to restrict and control our enjoyment of life - there's a reason many of us are angered by Ofcom's actions, and this is it! Our rights are being ignored and abused!

Bang Babes is an adult sex chat service, owned and operated by Bang Channels Limited, and available freely without mandatory restricted access on the channels Tease Me and Tease Me 3 (Sky channel numbers 912 and 959). Both channels are situated in the adult section of the Sky electronic programme guide (EPG). These channels broadcast programmes after the 21:00 watershed based on interactive 'adult' sex chat services: viewers are invited to contact onscreen female presenters via premium rate telephony services (PRS). The female presenters dress and behave in a sexually provocative way while encouraging viewers to contact the PRS numbers.

Ofcom have published multiple whinges about these programmes:

Bang Babes, Tease Me 3, 30/31 October 2009, 23:20 to 00:20

The complainant said the content included in the programme was too sexually explicit to be available without mandatory restricted access.

Bang Babes, Tease Me 3, 7 November 2009, 21:45 to 22:30

The complainant here was concerned that the presenter was wearing inadequate underwear which resulted in images of her anus being shown.

Bang Babes, Tease Me, 13/14 November 2009, 23:45 to 00:30

The complainant was concerned that the broadcast included prolonged graphic and intrusive images of vaginal and anal detail, and of simulated masturbation.

Promotion of the www.bangbabes.tv website address – for all broadcasts

In addition, after viewing the content complained of Ofcom noted that during all three broadcasts the website www.bangbabes.tv was promoted. When accessed by Ofcom this website featured images of a strong sexual nature equivalent to BBFC R18-rated material (R18-rated equivalent material) which could be readily viewed without appropriate protections. Although this R18-rated equivalent material was not broadcast on-air, Ofcom was concerned that it appeared on a website being promoted on Ofcom licensed services freely available without mandatory restricted access from 21:00.

Ofcom considered:

• Rule 1.241 ('adult-sex' material is restricted to overnight services with mandatory restricted access)
• Rule 2.1 (generally accepted standards)
• Rule 2.3 (material which may cause offence must be justified by context) of the Code.

And predictably Ofcom found that all of these rules had been Breached

Ofcom also had a go at The Pad, the daytime equivalent to Bang Babes

The Pad Tease Me, 6 November 2009, 12:00 to 13:00 and 14:00 to 15:00

The Pad is a televised daytime interactive chat programme broadcast without mandatory restricted access. It is broadcast on the Tease Me channel, which is located in the adult section of the Sky Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) on channel number 912. Tease Me is owned and operated by Bang Channels Limited (Bang Channels or the Licensee). Viewers are invited to contact onscreen female presenters via premium rate telephony services (PRS). The presenters generally dress and behave in a provocative and/or flirtatious manner.

The complainant suggested that the material broadcast was too strong for transmission at these times.

Ofcom viewed the material and noted that both broadcasts featured the same presenter. On both occasions she was wearing skimpy black PVC knickers and a skimpy boob tube top with Playmate written on it. During both broadcasts she was shown lying on her back with her legs wide open for prolonged periods of time. While doing so she repeatedly gyrated and thrust her pelvis as though miming intercourse. While in this position the presenter also stroked her stomach and pulled down the side of her knickers in a sexually provocative manner. The presenter also lay on her front during the programmes for prolonged periods of time. While in this position she pulled down her knickers to reveal the top of her bottom, and also raised her bottom in the air and repeatedly gyrated her pelvis in a sexual manner.

Ofcom found this programme to be in breach of

• Rule 1.3 (children must be protected from unsuitable material by appropriate scheduling).

Ofcom found more examples

TMTV Tease Me TV (Freeview), 3 November 2009, 05:00

Also found in breach of Rules 2.1 and 2.3

Ofcom also wanted to have a whinge about:

Bang Babes Tease Me TV (Freeview), 23 November 2009, 3:00

Early Bird Tease Me TV (Freeview), 23 November 2009, 7:30

But recordings were not available so Ofcom had a whinge about that instead.

And Ofcom re-affirmed their intention to punish Bang Media for these transfressions:

Ofcom explained in Broadcast Bulletin 151 that as a result of these breaches, it was notifying the licensee that it was considering the imposition of statutory sanctions.  In the current Broadcast Bulletin (152), Ofcom has published further breaches of the Code as regards services for which Bang Channels holds the licences, Tease Me and Tease Me 3.

As is made clear in Broadcast Bulletins 151 and 152, these breaches are serious and/or repeated and are therefore being considered by Ofcom for statutory sanction.

Bang Media and Bang Channels are controlled by the same person and all editorial compliance decisions regarding both Bang Media and Bang Channels are taken by one compliance team, For these reasons Ofcom will consider for sanction together all serious and/or repeated Code or licence breaches for which Bang Media and Bang Channels are responsible.

Party People
Get Lucky TV, 29 November 2009, 17:25

Party People is an interactive chat programme where viewers can contact the onscreen presenters via a premium rate telephone or text number ('PRS'). Generally, the female presenters dress and behave in a provocative and/or flirtatious manner.

Party People is broadcast in the adult section of the Sky electronic programme guide ('EPG') and is freely available without mandatory restricted access.

Ofcom received a complaint from a viewer who was concerned that the behaviour and attire of one of the presenters was unsuitable for the time of broadcast in the late afternoon. Ofcom noted the presenter in question wore a pair of knickers and a halter-neck bikini top and lay variously on her front and side, facing the camera. During the broadcast, she pulled the side of her knickers down towards her upper thighs, stroked her body and appeared to mime sexual activity.

Ofcom considered Rule 1.3 (children must be protected by appropriate scheduling from material that is unsuitable for them).

Ofcom Decision: Breaches of Rule 1.3

Rule 1.3 makes clear that children should be protected from material which is unsuitable for them by appropriate scheduling. The behaviour of presenters for daytime chat services must not appear to mimic or simulate sexual acts before the watershed.

In this case the presenter was dressed in knickers and a halter-neck bikini top and was shown lying on her front, facing towards the camera. The presenter occasionally lay on her side and tucked her thumb under her knickers to pull them down to the top of her thigh. The broadcast contained numerous close-up, panning shots of her body, including of her cleavage and groin. The presenter also: thrust her hips and pelvis as though miming sexual activity; rubbed her hand over her thighs and bottom; arched her back to emphasise her breasts, and opened her legs while lying on her side.

In Ofcom's view the actions of, and positions adopted by, the presenter were intended to be sexually provocative in nature. The material was therefore not editorially justified, and Ofcom considered clearly unsuitable for children.

Ofcom has made clear that the location of a channel in the adult section of the Sky EPG, available freely without mandatory restricted access, does not in itself provide adequate protection to under-eighteens form inappropriate material. Therefore the material was in breach of Rule 1.3.

Elite Days 4-25 November 2009, 09:00 - 19:45
Elite Nights 2 October 2009, 22:00

The channels Elite TV and Elite Days are owned and operated by Prime Time TV Limited. The Channels broadcast interactive chat programmes that are freely available and without mandatory restricted access. They are located in the adult section of the Sky Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). Elite is situated on Channel 911 of the EPG and Elite TV at Channel 965 of the EPG. Viewers can contact the onscreen female presenters via a premium rate telephone or text number (PRS). Generally the female presenters dress and behave in a provocative and/or flirtatious manner.

Ofcom received complaints about several programmes on the Channels.

On viewing the daytime material Ofcom noted that the presenter, seated on a sofa and dressed in a low cut gold lamé swimsuit and black high heeled shoes, had her legs wide apart while repeatedly stretching one leg above her head allowing viewers a more open shot of her crotch area. In addition, there were sequences in which the camera, in close-up, focused on the presenter's crotch while the presenter slowly gyrated her pelvis.

In another broadcast the same presenter was seen in two sequences. Firstly she was dressed in black PVC underwear and subsequently she wore a blue swimsuit with knee length stiletto heeled boots. In both sequences she was positioned on a sofa with her legs apart. In the second sequence she was seen thrusting her buttocks for prolonged periods.

Re Post 21:00 watershed Elite Nights, Ofcom received a complaint that during this programme footage showed the presenter's underwear being pulled aside revealing exposure of genitals.

Ofcom viewed the material and noted that the presenter, wearing a gold lamé swimsuit on several occasions pulled her underwear aside and exposed her genital area. In addition Ofcom noted prolonged close up shots of the presenter with legs wide apart and sequences where she placed her hands inside her underwear.

Ofcom considered:

• Rule 1.3 – Children must...be protected by appropriate scheduling from material that is unsuitable for them
• Rule 2.3 – In applying generally accepted standards broadcasters must ensure that material which may cause offence is justified by the context.

Ofcom Decision: Breaches of Rules 1.3 and 2.3

Daytime Programming:

Ofcom's concerns centred on sequences such as the presenter seen sitting on a sofa with her legs apart in a sexually suggestive pose. The manner in which she raised one leg above her head, making the crotch area more visible was particularly suggestive. In addition Ofcom was concerned with the way in which the camera panned slowly over her body and lingered for lengthy periods on her crotch. While this was happening, the presenter gyrated her hips in a way which in Ofcom's opinion was sexually provocative and inappropriate for this time of day.

Rule 1.3 makes clear that children should be protected from material which is unsuitable for them by appropriate scheduling. The behaviour of presenters for daytime chat services must not at any time appear to mimic or simulate sexual acts before the watershed. In all of these cases the female presenters dressed in skimpy underwear, adopted various sexual positions and made the sexually suggestive gestures described above. This was not editorially justified.

In Ofcom's view the repeated actions and sexual positions of the presenter were intended to be sexually provocative in nature. In light of this behaviour, together with its lack of editorial justification, this material was clearly unsuitable for children and breached Rule 1.3.

Post 21:00 watershed:

Ofcom then considered the programme broadcast after the 21:00 watershed in light of Rule 2.3. The type of behaviour and images that concerned Ofcom included numerous instances of extreme close ups of the presenter's bottom as well as the genital areas with outer labial area visible. The strength of these images was increased by the presenter's behaviour in lifting up the thin piece of her swimsuit which covered her anus. In addition the presenter repeatedly bunched up the material at the front crotch area of her swimsuit so that her genital area was partly visible. Also, Ofcom had further concerns about some of the actions of the presenter. These included prolonged close up shots of the presenter with legs wide open and sequences involving the presenter placing her hands inside her swimsuit and apparently touching her genitals.

In Ofcom's view, the strongly suggestive nature of this material together with the overtly sexual behaviour of the presenter was such that it went beyond generally accepted standards. Given the strength of the content, Ofcom also notes the possibility of viewers at this time coming across this material unawares. Ofcom therefore concluded that this offensive content was not justified by the context and so went beyond what could be considered generally accepted standards. It was therefore in breach of Rule 2.3 of the Code.

Ofcom has had a meeting with this Licensee to explain the concerns it has over the broadcaster's compliance. Prime Time TV Limited should note that further breaches may result in Ofcom taking further regulatory action.

Bang Babes Tease Me,
20-23 June 2009, 00:00 to 02:45 approximately

Bang Babes is an adult sex chat service, owned and operated by Bang Channels Limited, and available freely without mandatory restricted access on the channel Tease Me (Sky channel number 912).

It is situated in the adult section of the Sky electronic programme guide (EPG). The channel broadcasts programmes after the 21:00 watershed based on interactive adult sex chat services: viewers are invited to contact on-screen female presenters via premium rate telephony services (PRS). The female presenters dress and behave in a sexually provocative way while encouraging viewers to call the PRS telephone line.

Ofcom noted that the programme contained a range of strong sexual material including some graphic images of a sexual nature.

20th June between 01:15 and 02:10 the broadcast featured three female presenters. Two of the presenters were wearing only thongs and the other presenter was wearing a thong and a bra, however her breasts were exposed as she pulled her bra down below her breasts. At various times during this broadcast the three presenters were shown carrying out or participating in a number of sexual acts. These included: close up shots of three presenters licking each other's breasts; touching and licking each other's genital and anal areas; and one presenter was shown simulating in a realistic way the insertion of her fingers into a co-presenter's anus. Anal and genital detail of the various presenters was also featured on a number of occasions.

Later two other presenters were shown carrying out or participating in a number of sexual acts. These included: one presenter bunching her thong around her genitals while the other licked around her genital area; simulating oral sex on each other; sucking and licking each other's breasts; spitting on their own and each other's breasts; and spitting near each other's genital and anal areas. Anal and genital detail of the various presenters was also featured on a number of occasions.

Later there were four presenters in shot. One of the new presenters was wearing a skimpy black thong and a black vest top, with her breasts exposed. The other was wearing a black thong and bra with her breasts exposed also. The four presenters split into pairs and were shown simulating masturbation and oral sex on each other in a realistic way. This was followed by four presenters simultaneously opening their legs to camera and simulating masturbation (touching their genital area). One presenter then appeared to lick the genital area of all the other presenters in turn.

Similar material was broadcast in subsequent nights programming

Ofcom considered Rules:

• 1.24 'adult-sex' material is restricted to overnight services with mandatory restricted access
• 2.1 generally accepted standards
• 2.3 material which may cause offence must be justified by context.

Ofcom Decision: Breach of Rules 1.24, 2.1 and 2.3

Rule 1.24 of the Code requires adult-sex material to be broadcast only between 22:00 and 05:30, and then only if mandatory restricted access is in place.

Through a series of published findings, and published decisions of the Content Sanctions Committee, Ofcom has made clear what constitutes adult-sex material

In considering the contents of each of these programmes Ofcom asked itself two questions:

• was the content of the programme adult-sex material
• did the broadcaster take appropriate steps to ensure that it was provided with sufficient contextual justification so as to ensure that it fell within generally accepted standards.

In relation to Rule 1.24, Ofcom examined the content of this broadcast and considered that it was of a very strong sexual nature and on some occasions explicit images of genital and anal detail. For example, the broadcast showed a presenter simulating in a realistic way the insertion of her fingers into a co-presenter's anus; images of presenters licking each other's genital areas; presenters spitting between and on each other's breasts and spitting on or near each other's genital and anal areas. Ofcom took account of the fact that the sequences were several minutes each in duration, and in some cases, were repeated.

In Ofcom's view, the primary purpose of broadcasting this material was clearly sexual arousal. Having assessed the programme's content and purpose, Ofcom considered that the material broadcast constituted adult-sex material. Its broadcast, without mandatory restricted access, was therefore in breach of Rule 1.24.

Ofcom is concerned that the Licensee considers material, such as genital detail and simulated masturbation, to be acceptable to broadcast after 22:00. Ofcom is also particularly concerned that the Licensee appears to have formed this view based on Ofcom's published decision regarding Bang Babes, Tease Me 2, 17 March 2008; 21:00–22:00 (Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 120), which states that such content in that particular broadcast was not suitable before 22:00.

In Ofcom's opinion by stating content is not suitable before a particular time does not therefore suggest it is automatically acceptable to broadcast later. Ofcom considers broadcast content on a case by case basis as contextual factors may differ, particularly regarding the nature of the content.

Ofcom then went on to consider whether the broadcast was also in breach of Rules 2.1 and 2.3 of the Code. In light of Ofcom's view that this material constituted adult sex material and therefore unsuitable for broadcast without mandatory restricted access, the broadcast was clearly capable of causing considerable offence. Ofcom therefore examined the extent to which there were any particular editorial or contextual factors that might have limited the potential for offence.

Ofcom noted that the programme was broadcast along time after the watershed and that viewers tend to expect stronger sexual material to be shown later at night. Ofcom also took account of the fact that the channel was positioned in the adult section of the Sky EPG and that viewers tend to expect the broadcast of stronger sexual material on channels in this section of the EPG than would be expected to be included on other channels. However, in this case, given the prolonged and frequent scenes of a very strong sexual nature and the inclusion of explicit images of genital and anal details (provided for the purpose of sexual arousal) the time of broadcast and location of the channel were not sufficient to justify the broadcast of the material shown was so strongly sexual that it would have exceeded the likely expectation of the vast majority of the audience.

Ofcom concluded that this content was clearly not justified by the context and was in breach of generally accepted standards. This broadcast was also therefore in breach of Rules 2.1 and 2.3 of the Code.

Ofcom has notified the Licensee that it is considering these contraventions of the Code for statutory sanction in light of their seriousness and/or repeated nature.

We're barely into the new decade and already reading about freedom issues in Italy is like scanning a long war bulletin. The situation was poor 20 years ago, but it has worsened since Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's entrance in politics. In the last six months it has taken the steepest downhill path one could imagine. In the 80s and '90s Berlusconi's television channels represented editorial innovation and business success. But in the last 10 years Italian's appetite for the Berlusconi style of programming has waned.

No doubt prompted by the economic success of Murdoch's Sky Italia satellite platform, Berlusconi has begun using his government to pass laws that damage Sky TV to the sole advantage of the bottom line of his TV media empire. He is passing laws to protect his privacy, while at the same time classifying as top secret information about illegal wiretaps on intellectual and political leaders of the opposition. Nevertheless, during his recent visit to Israel, Berlusconi accused the Italian press of orchestrating the harshest ever media campaign against a prime minister.

In a law which took effect last week, movies and shows forbidden to under 14s will be banned on any TV platform up to 10.30 pm, even if it's pay per view. This is a clear blow to Murdoch's Sky, as they have just launched a series of pay-per-view 24/7 porn channels. Looking through this legislation I realised something funny: while movies like Grease are to banned, live shows with almost naked girls will still be legally broadcasted. In fact this law was always in place, it has just been extended to the new satellite platform, but as an Italian I had never noticed its impact, as I am pretty used to seeing semi-erotic dances on most of Italian channels, at any time of the day. Indeed, Berlusconi made his fortune on "immoral" TV. As an anonymous commenter wrote on the site of Republica, if this law was to be respected, we would need to shut down all of Berlusconi's television stations from 7am to 10.30 pm.

...Read full article