Melon Farmers Original Version

Satellite X News


2011

 2007   2008   2009   2010   2011   2012   2013   2014   2015   2016   2017   2018   2019   2020   2021   2022   Latest 

26th December   

Update: Bad Babes...

TV Censor fines babe channels, Sport XXX Girls, Essex Babes and Northern Girls
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Ofcom has fined Satellite Entertainment Ltd £ 130,000 for being a little bit too sexy for what Ofcom prudes consider acceptable on babe channels.

The fine is in respect of its services Sport XXX Girls, Essex Babes and Northern Birds.

Ofcom considers babe channels to be advertising and censors such channels using advert censorship rules:

  • Rule 4.2: Adverts must not cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards.
  • Rule 32.3: Relevant timing restrictions must be applied to advertisements that, through their content, might harm or distress children of particular ages or that are otherwise unsuitable for them

In addition Ofcom whinged at a lack of recordings from the channels and cited their licensing rule:

  • Rule 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

The overly sexy programmes were broadcast in the period 5th - 14th April 2011.

Ofcom highlighted a number of examples of broadcast material that were claimed to be clearly inconsistent with the Chat Service Guidance, such as:

  • extremely prolonged and close up images of the genital area;
  • bunching of underwear to simulate masturbation;
  • pouring oil and white cream onto, and massaging it into, the buttocks, anal area and genital area; and
  • presenters wearing clothing that did not adequately cover their genital and anal area.

Ofcom noted that in conjunction with those images the presenters performed various other actions including: opening their legs wide to camera; stroking their bodies; thrusting their buttocks; massaging oil into their breasts; and miming sexual intercourse. The combination of these images and action resulted in prolonged and frequent scenes of a strong sexual nature. Ofcom said it was also concerned at the degree of offence likely to be caused to viewers who might come across this material unawares.

Ofcom decided that the Code breaches were serious and repeated, and that the breach of Licence Condition 11 was serious, and therefore a financial penalty should be imposed in accordance with Ofcom's Procedures for the consideration of statutory sanctions.

Ofcom then also considered the level of the fine to be imposed. Having regard to the serious and repeated nature of the breaches of the BCAP Code, the serious nature of the breach of Licence Condition 11 and having regard to the Licensee's representations and Ofcom's Penalty Guidelines, Ofcom decided it was appropriate in the circumstances to impose a financial penalty of £130,000 on SEL.

 

22nd December   

Update: Warning Light...

Ofcom starts the ball rolling for another attack on Playboy and its Red Light channels
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

****Babes
Red Light 1 (Channel 911), 1 September 2011, 00:00 to 01:00
Red Light Central
Red Light 2 (Channel 902), 26 August 2011, 22:32 to 23:00
Red Light 2 (Channel 902), 2 September 2011, 22:55 to 23:05
Red Light 2 (Channel 902), 5 September 2011, 21:03 to 21:35

****Babes and Red Light Central are segments of programming on babe channels Red Light 1 & 2. Playboy TV is the licensee of both channels (albeit via a Just4Us subsidiary for Red Light 1).

Ofcom received two complaints about the content listed above. In summary the complainants were concerned about the level of sexual content which they considered was capable of causing offence and the level of sexual imagery immediately after the watershed.

Ofcom cited several examples of material they considered too sexy, but their main whinge was about:

1. Red Light 1, 1 September 2011, 00:00 to 01:00

The presenter was wearing a black latex thong and red shoes. The broadcast included prolonged images of the presenter adopting sexual positions, such as with her legs wide open to camera, often mimicking sexual intercourse. At various points during the broadcast intrusive images of the presenter's genital area were shown. Approximately 18 minutes into the broadcast, the presenter was shown pouring oil onto her buttocks and anal area and three minutes later spitting onto her fingers and letting the saliva drip down onto her genital area, as if to emulate ejaculate. Throughout the broadcast the presenter was shown touching her outer genital area and massaging oil into her legs and breasts.

Approximately 50 minutes into the broadcast the presenter spoke directly to viewers to encourage further calls:

Come on, bend me over, give me a spank, stretch me open. Do whatever you want. I'm up for it. I want every hole filled up with your dirty, hot, sticky muck. Come on you naughty boys, call me right now .

Predictably Ofcom found the channels to be in breach of the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising (BCAP) rules:

  • Rule 4.2 Advertisements must not cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards.

  • Rule 32.3 Relevant timing restrictions must be applied to advertisements that, through their content, might harm or distress children of particular ages or that are otherwise unsuitable for them.

And of course given that Playboy TV have just been fined £110,000, Ofcom have started the ball rolling again with the warning:

Ofcom has recently recorded a number of serious and repeated breaches of the BCAP Code6 against Playboy TV and Just4Us which led to the imposition of a financial penalty totalling £110,000 . These present contraventions of the BCAP Code are another example of poor compliance by the Licensee, particularly with regards to the material broadcast on 1 September 2011 that was of a strong sexual nature. Playboy TV is put on notice that any further similar contraventions of the BCAP Code will be considered for further regulatory action by Ofcom.

 

14th December   

Updated: TopPorn...

Another South African satellite service applies to start porn channels
Link Here
Full story: Satellite Sex in Africa...MultiChoice consider adding porn channel

New player in South Africa's pay-TV market, TopTV, has announced that it had made an application to the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) for permission to launch three adult content channels.

The latest bid to get porn on to South African television screens follows leading pay-TV broadcaster MultiChoice who some while ago, decided to can its foray into adult TV after widespread objections from the public.

Icasa spokesman Paseka Maleka said depending on the nature of the submissions, it may hold public hearings before it decides whether to give TopTV the go-ahead. Maleka said such a public hearing would most likely be held next month , but could not say when the process would be finalised.

TopTV last week announced its intention to launch porn channels, while distancing itself from a company called African Satellite Installations, which had indicated that French porn channel PSatTV would soon be available in SA via the TopTV satellite.

TopTV's holding company, On-Digital Media , said the porn channels would be separate from its bouquets and would carry a strictly enforced adult restriction. They would only be accessible as a secure, encrypted and separate subscription package on the pay-TV platform. Potential subscribers would need to provide proof that they were over the age of 18, and viewing of the channels would require a unique, four-digit PIN code.

A spokesman said content for all three channels would be provided by Playboy TV, with one being a soft porn channel and the other two having more raunchy content. It would cost R199 a month.

Update: The Inevitable Nutter Boycott

14th December 2011. See  article from  mybroadband.co.za

Some Christian organisations plan to boycott TopTV after it announced it would launch 24-hour pornography channels next year, said the Family Policy Institute.

The institute's director Errol Naidoo said:

The Christian denominations and church affiliations support the view that the broadcasting of hardcore pornography on television degrades and objectifies women [strange, this is done so much more effectively by some religions] and exposes children to harmful content.

Millions of Christians will be encouraged to join the mass boycott of TopTV by not paying their subscription fees and cancelling their contracts with the pay channel.

TopTV's advertisers and sponsors would also be targeted by the boycott, said Naidoo.

About six Christian organisations have affiliated themselves with the boycott, including the Evangelical Alliance of South Africa and the Methodist Church of South Africa.

 

9th December   

Updated: Porn Satellite Television...

A South African hope for the country's first adult satellite channel
Link Here
Full story: Satellite Sex in Africa...MultiChoice consider adding porn channel

Interesting news from South Africa over the promise of the country's first hardcore satellite porn channels.

Porn Satellite Television (PSat) promises 24/7 hardcore adult television and says it will launch this January. The channel will be broadcast on the Astra 4A satellite, which is also utilized by the mainstream channel, TopTV.

As a separate service, PSat subscribers will have to pay R99 a month for special equipment needed to access the channel.

According to iAfrica.com, PSat originated in France and is broadcast from outside of South Africa.

There was previously there was a mainstream service suggesting that it could  branch into porn, but the authorities were not having any of it, and the idea stayed on the drawing board. Perhaps this new idea has more of a 'Red Hit Dutch' feel to the service.

Update: You can't broadcast porn...we want to do that

9th December 2011.  See  article from  business.avn.com

It did not take long for TopTV to express its opposition to the planned rollout of a 24/7 porn channel on the same Astra 4A satellite from which it broadcasts to South African subscribers.

TopTV is claiming that the PSat service is illegal because it has not received permission to broadcast porn from South Africa's TV censor, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). TopTV said it is considering a lawsuit based on the alleged illegality of the planned January launch. An PSat spokesperson, John Solomon, countered that TopTv does not have grounds for a lawsuit because PSat, which is an already existing French channel that wants to expand into South Africa, does not need to get permission from ICASA.

An ICASA spokesperson concurred that Solomon needs to get additional approval before its decoders can be distributed to the public.

But TopTV may have another reason for objecting to TopTV. According to iol.ca.za, the network has itself applied to ICASA for permission to launch three Playboy subscription channels to its lineu

The TopTv application has already been publicly opposed by the country's censorship board, the Film and Production Board, whose spokesperson, Mlimandlela Ndamase, said, We definitely will oppose the application in a manner similar to the way we did with MultiChoice when they wanted to launch a 24-hour pornography channel.

 

3rd December   

Unfair TV Censorship...

Softcore Playboy TV unable to compete with hardcore on the internet
Link Here

Playboy TV UK managing director Jeremy Yates has said that the TV watershed is a nonsense and called for a change in the way adult broadcasting is regulated. Speaking at an industry event he said that it will be a bit odd to regulate TV when the open internet comes to the small screen.

Earlier in the month, Playboy TV was fined £ 110,000 by Ofcom for airing adult sex chat advertisements that were slightly too sexy for Ofcom's prudish view on what should be allowed on free to air TV.

Playboy currently operates a number of video on-demand services, but the broadcaster still relies heavily on its portfolio of softcore TV channels to reach the audience.

UK adult TV is censored down to naff softcore, but it has still found a valuable niche. It is now more or less glorified advertising for either premium rate phone chat, or else hardcore services on the internet.

Yates feels that because adult broadcasters such as Playboy are so tightly regulated, they are losing ground to the internet, where there is an anything goes mentality. He said that the TV watershed at 9pm is a nonsense , largely because there is no watershed on the internet . I'd like to see a change that allows us to compete with the internet . If someone who is a responsible adult who wants to watch our content at 5pm in the afternoon, why shouldn't they?

He suggested adult content shown during the day could be given a second PIN number on digital TV to increase security, but accepted that gaining approval for such a scheme will be hard. I'll keep banging the drum anyway, Yates added.

 

22nd November   

Balance in the Red...

Administration puts an end to the unencrypted showing of The Lovers' Guide on Body in Balance TV
Link Here

The yoga specialist channel, Body in Balance channel on Sky 275, started showing The Lovers' Guide unencrypted with no censorship (blowjob close ups etc) but this suddenly came to an abrupt end.

It seems that this is related to the news that the channel has entered administration.

First aired in 2007, Body in Balance was Britain's first channel focused on leisure and health. Well-known yoga and fitness instructors featured on the channel include Maya Fiennes, Baron Baptiste, Lara Baumann and Dolphina. The channel won the 2009 Hot Bird TV award for Lifestyle, and sells DVDs of its programmes on its website, as well as CDs, books and props.

It is hoped that the channel can be sold as a going concern.

 

18th November   

Navel Fluff...

Egypt launches 3 satellite TV channels showcasing belly dancing
Link Here

A group of unidentified businessmen has launched three international Arabic-language television channels as part of a project to promote Egyptian belly dancing in the region and abroad.

From Europe to Asia and North America, each day lovers of oriental dance watch el-Farah (Arabic for Joy), el-Teet and Darabuka (the drum) channels on NileSat 1 to enjoy this ancient Egyptian art. These three channels show professional and amateur dancers from around the world as well shoddy Egyptian singers, who take part in elaborate non-stop shows.

Of course the report lined up the inevitable whinges from nobody passers-by. Zainab Naguib, described as a 'veiled government employee' said that she totally rejected the idea of launching these three channels, which she dismissed as immoral and vulgar.

It is absolutely wrong and unnecessary to have these channels because they are offensive to our religion, honour and customs.

Shed added that the three channels have nothing to do with personal freedom:

If freedom harms others, it is no longer a freedom. These dancers are sinners because they wear outfits that do not cover the breasts, the belly button and what is below that. They also make gestures that awaken the sexual instincts of viewers. Freedoms and public rights are not absolute, they are limited by the respect of the family which is the base of the Egyptian conservative society that rejects any form of seduction.

Such entertainment forms are branded un-Islamic and are associated with prostitution, she asserted.

 

10th November   

Update: Miserable TV Censors...

Playboy TV fined for slightly sexy fun on the Red Light babe channels
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Ofcom have fined Playboy TV (including its wholly owned subsidiary Just4Us TV) £110,000 for supposed breaches of their code by the babe channels Red Light 1, 2 & 3 during April 2011.

Ofcom cited breaches of advertising censorship rules:

  • Rule 4.2: Advertisements must not cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards.

  • Rule 32.3 Relevant timing restrictions must be applied to advertisements that, through their content, might harm or distress children of particular ages or that are otherwise unsuitable for them.

[I can't say I noticed any evidence supplied about actual 'widespread offence'. Just a handful of complaints].

The finding highlighted a number of supposed examples of broadcast material that was claimed to be clearly inconsistent with the Chat Service Guidance, such as images of the presenters:

  • spitting on their bodies to emulate ejaculate;
  • using a cupped hand and on one occasion a telephone to cover their genital area, resulting in clear pressure between their hand or telephone and the genital area;
  • pouring oil onto their buttocks and genital area; and
  • wearing clothing that did not adequately cover their genital area (in one case outer labia were clearly visible).

Ofcom considered this material should not have been broadcast within the context of „adult chat. advertisements that were freely available without mandatory restricted access.

With regards to two broadcasts on 9 and 13 April 2011 between 21:00 and 21:45, Ofcom noted that on a number of occasions between 21:00 and 21:30 the female presenters adopted sexually provocative positions, sometimes for prolonged periods and regularly stroked and massaged their breasts and mimicked sexual intercourse.

In Ofcom's opinion, viewers (and in particular parents) would not expect such material to be broadcast so soon after 21:00. Further, the broadcast of such relatively strong sexualised content was inappropriate to advertise adult sex chat so soon after the 21:00 watershed.

After considering all the evidence and all the representations made to it by the Licensees, Ofcom decided that the BCAP Code breaches were serious and repeated and therefore a financial penalty should be imposed.

Ofcom then also considered the level of the fine to be imposed. Ofcom decided it was appropriate and proportionate in the circumstances to impose a financial penalty of £60,000 on Just4us and £50,000 on Playboy TV in respect of the Code breaches.

 

6th November   

High Quality Porn in High Definition...

Dorcel TV has launched a high definition version of its European hardcore channel
Link Here

Marc Dorcel has launched a high-definition version of its famous erotic channel. Dorcel TV's HD technology provides the viewer with more visual quality and clarity of images.

Dorcel TV HD will be targeting the majority of European platforms including cable, satellite, IPTV and hotels.

Created in 2006, the European adult channel which offers sexy, high class and couples-oriented entertainment is now available in 25 countries for more than 70 operators and in three languages. Since its creation, the channel has appealed to one million subscribers.

 

2nd November   

Update: Open Mike...

Oops. SportXXXGirls censured for babe presenter's unmuted dirty talk with customers
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Bluebird TV
SportXXXGirls, 10 August 2011, 18:20

Bluebird TV is interactive daytime chat advertising content broadcast on the babe channel SportXXXGirls.  The licence for the service is held by Satellite Entertainment Limited (SEL)

A complainant alerted Ofcom to the broadcast of offensive language during Bluebird TV at 18:30 on 10 August 2011.

After inviting viewers to contact the studio, the female presenter placed the microphone beside her but it was not then muted. As a result, her conversation with three callers and a woman off-screen was broadcast over a 20 minute period.

During the three telephone conversations with callers only the presenter's side of the conversation could be heard and her speech was not always clearly audible. At other times however her words were clearly audible. For example:

get your big dick out ... slide it in inch by fucking inch into my pussy aren't you?

Between telephone calls, a conversation between the presenter and a woman off- screen was also clearly audible. That conversation included the following phrases:

...and to get money out of him is fucking hard as fuck

fucking hell

...fucking in here now

Ofcom considered the material raised issues warranting investigation under the following BCAP Code rules.

  • Rule 4.2 Advertisements must not cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards.

  • Rule 32.3 Relevant timing restrictions must be applied to advertisements that, through their content, might harm or distress children of particular ages or that are otherwise unsuitable for them.

The Licensee SEL apologised for any offence caused and stated:

 ...there was a specific technical fault which did occur with one of our microphones at this specific time. Upon investigation ... it has been confirmed that there were audio problems with this specific microphone. Additional equipment checks have also been introduced to minimise [the] risk of this problem occurring again.

Ofcom Decision: Breach of BCAP Code Rules 4.2, 32.3

Ofcom considered under BCAP Code Rule 32.3 whether relevant timing or scheduling restrictions were applied to these broadcasts by the Licensee. In Ofcom's view this material clearly exceeded the expectations of the audience for this daytime chat channel at 18:30. Ofcom concluded that relevant timing and scheduling restrictions were not applied to the broadcasts so as to offer adequate protection to children and therefore the material was in breach of Rule 32.3.

Ofcom concluded that relevant scheduling restrictions were not applied so as to ensure that the material which was broadcast was not capable of causing serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards. The material was therefore in breach of BCAP Code Rule 4.2.

Considering Sanctions

Ofcom was very concerned that this broadcast of the most offensive language appeared to go undetected by the broadcaster for approximately 20 minutes. Ofcom considered this raised serious questions about the robustness of the Licensee's existing compliance procedures and expects SEL to review its compliance arrangements thoroughly as a result of this incident to ensure there are no further contraventions of a similar nature.

Ofcom has recently recorded a number of serious and repeated breaches of the BCAP Code3 against SEL. These are being considered for the imposition of a statutory sanction. This present contravention of the BCAP Code is another example of very poor compliance by the Licensee and may be taken into account as part of its compliance record when Ofcom considers the imposition of a sanction against SEL.

 

1st November   

Limp Concerns...

Ofcom investigate error allowing Adult Channel softcore to be shown unencrypted in a freeview
Link Here

Adult Channel
2 August 2011, 22:50 to 23:00 and 23:50 to 00:00

Adult Channel is a channel broadcast under a licence held by Playboy TV UK/Benelux Ltd.

Between the hours of 22:00 and 05:30 it is a subscription services providing softcore adult material subject to encrypted and restricted access. The channel however includes some sections broadcast without mandatory restricted freeview access to promote the channel and encourage viewers to subscribe.

On 8 August 2011 Playboy alerted Ofcom to a scheduling error which had resulted in content normally shown encrypted being broadcast without the restrictions for ten minutes on two separate occasions after 22:00.

On assessing the content, Ofcom noted the material broadcast at 22:50 started with about 30 seconds of non-explicit images of a man and woman appearing to have sexual intercourse. This was followed by some advertisements, channel idents and channel promotions to encourage viewers to subscribe to the service. The last seven minutes of the material showed a woman in a garden performing a striptease set to music.

The second piece of material broadcast at 23:50 started with about 30 seconds of a film including a brief image of a topless woman. This was followed by some advertisements, channel idents and promotions to encourage viewers to subscribe to the service. The last seven minutes of the material showed a woman in a photographer's studio performing a slow striptease set to music. This material included a close-up shot of the woman naked and stroking her genitals that lasted approximately eight seconds, and included close-up images of the woman's genitals.

Ofcom considered Rule 1.18

'Adult sex material' - material that contains images and/or language of a strong sexual nature which is broadcast for the primary purpose of sexual arousal or stimulation - must not be broadcast at any time other than between 2200 and 0530 on premium subscription services and pay per view/night services which operate with mandatory restricted access. In addition, measures must be in place to ensure that the subscriber is an adult.

Ofcom Decision: Breach of Rule 1.18

Ofcom considered the material broadcast at:

  • 22:50 showing strong but not explicit images of a man and woman appearing to have sexual intercourse; and
  • 23:50 that included clear images of the woman masturbating and close ups of her genitals,

was adult sex material, i.e. contained images of a sexual nature which were broadcast for the primary purpose of sexual arousal or stimulation. Being broadcast between 22:00 and 05:30 but without mandatory restricted access, it was therefore in breach of Rule 1.18.

In Ofcom's view, given the nature of the material and that it involved a compliance failure that had occurred previously, Ofcom considered whether to take further regulatory action in this case. However, given that Playboy TV reported this error to us in a proactive and timely fashion, we do not consider further regulatory action is necessary on this occasion.

 

25th October   

Update: Transparent Control...

Ofcom revokes the broadcasting licences of Babeworld, House of Fun, and The Other Side
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Ofcom have revoked the licences of the following services:

  • Babeworld licensed by Babeworld TV Ltd
  • House of Fun licensed by House of Fun Television Ltd
  • The Other Side licensed by Forenzquick UK Ltd

Section 362(2) of the Communications  Act, sets out who should be treated as the provider of the service for the purposes of holding the licence:

A person will normally have general control if that person exercises effective control over the selection of programmes that comprise the service and their organisation into a programme schedule. It is that person who will normally be treated as being the provider of the service and who will need to hold a broadcasting licence authorising its provision.  

In the course of correspondence and meetings with Ofcom, statements made by Babeworld Television Limited, House of Fun Television Limited and Forenzquick UK Limited about the operation of the Licensed Services failed to satisfy Ofcom that these Licensees had general control over which programmes and other services were comprised in the Service.

Ofcom therefore concluded that Babeworld Television Limited, House of Fun Television Limited and Forenzquick UK Limited were not the providers of the Licensed Services in accordance with section 362(2) of the Communications Act 2003 and that, accordingly, it was appropriate to revoke their Licences.

 

30th September   

Storm in a Tea Cup...

Oops, afternoon babe channel viewers treated to an open-mike customer phone-in
Link Here

Storm Afternoons
Storm TV,  3rd July2011, 16:00

Storm Afternoons is an interactive daytime babe channel broadcast on the service Storm (Sky channel number 966). The licence for the service is held by Chat Central Ltd.

A complainant alerted Ofcom to the broadcast of offensive and racist language during Storm Afternoons on the afternoon of 3 July 2011.

After inviting viewers to contact the studio, the female presenter placed the microphone beside her but neglected to switch it to mute. As a result, her conversation with callers and a man off-screen was audible for approximately 14 minutes. During this time, the following clearly audible phrases were broadcast:

  • I feel fucked
  • Oh fucking hell
  • I fucking hate this song. How the fuck can you dance to this in a club. Fuck off
  • I feel too fucked
  • I wish black guys called me. I get all the Paki

Ofcom considered:

  • Rule 4.2 Advertisements must not cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards.
  • Rule 32.3 Relevant timing restrictions must be applied to advertisements that, through their content, might harm or distress children of particular ages or that are otherwise unsuitable for them.

The Licensee acknowledged that not only had our compliance procedures not been followed but that the error had not been duly reported to the company management team. It added that the language used by the presenter was wholly unacceptable, whether broadcast or used in the workplace and as a result of this the presenter was dismissed as soon as this incident came to light.

Ofcom Decision: Breach of BCAP Code Rules 4.2 and 32.3

Ofcom noted that the content was highly offensive and clearly exceeded the expectations of the audience. Ofcom concluded that relevant timing and scheduling restrictions were not applied to the broadcasts so as to offer adequate protection to children and therefore the material was in breach of Rule 32.3.

Ofcom concluded that relevant scheduling restrictions were not applied so as to ensure that the material which was broadcast was not capable of causing serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards. The material was therefore in breach of BCAP Code Rule 4.2.

Ofcom was particularly concerned that the repeated broadcast of the most offensive language appeared to go undetected by the broadcaster for approximately 14 minutes. Ofcom considered this raised serious questions about the robustness of its compliance procedures. In view of the measures taken by the broadcaster in response to this incident, Ofcom does not expect further breaches of the BCAP Code.

 

28th August   

Dahlia Wilts...

Swedish funded sport and porn channel fails to take off in Italy
Link Here

Sweden's Wallenberg family has been left out of pocket following the collapse of the Italian sport and pornography television channel Dahlia TV.

Dahlia TV was declared bankrupt earlier this year after having failed to break into the Italian sport and porn broadcasting marke.

Among the channels offered by Dahlia TV were Dahlia Sport and Dahlia Extreme, as well as Dahlia Eros, which offered a range of softcore and hardcore pornographic movies.

As part of its attempt to break into the Italian market, a process of renewal was launched to broaden its offering beyond sport and porn, but the competition promptly slashed their prices and forced the firm into reconstruction in the beginning of 2011.

Unicredit has the largest exposure to the bankrupt firm, with 276 million kronor, with the Investor's share coming to 18 million and the Swedish tax authorities 10 million kronor.

 

22nd August   

Eroticism Saves the Earth...

TV charity marathon on Japanese adult satellite channel
Link Here

Adult satellite channel Paradise TV on Sunday broadcast the ninth edition of its two-day TV charity marathon

The channel, which specializes in wacky porn programming that often features naked news broadcasts, strip mahjong exhibitions, and auctions of sex toys, holds its 24-Hour TV: Eroticism Saves the Earth fund drive each year to raise money and awareness to assist in reducing the spread of AIDS.

As in past years, the channel welcomed subscribers to its Tokyo studios to participate in various erotic events with AV (adult video) actresses and, hopefully, donate to the drive's coffers.

A sluttiest woman contest tested the stamina of four topless actresses by determining who could gyrate her hips the most times during simulated sex sessions, and auctions of used panties, removed by AV actresses from behind a screen, were fetching upwards of 30,000 yen a pop.

For subscribers interested in (literally) hands-on activities, a guessing game that culminated in a caress of an actress' bare chest. Breast-squeezing is usually the drive's centerpiece, and this year was no exception. Idol trio Marshmallow 3D bared their chests by lifting their tops, specifically, the event's red-and-white t-shirt, featuring an outstretched hand holding a condom, to subscribers for a suggested minimum donation of 1,000 yen.

Also on display was the group's new 3-D film, which includes sequences of each member using a vibrator or masturbating by hand, the culmination of which is enhanced by bursts of water against a plastic curtain behind the viewing area.

Donations to Eroticism Saves the Earth average 2 million yen, a number that Paradise expects to match this year, and are earmarked for the Japan Foundation for AIDS Prevention.

 

8th August   

Dishing Out Rights...

European Court supports the right of Swedish tenants to install a satellite dish against the wishes of their landlord
Link Here

The European Court of Human Rights has backed two Swedish tenants who wanted a satellite dish against the wishes of their landlord.

In an important ruling, lawmakers in Strasbourg have warned that banning dishes on listed buildings, social housing and even private homes could breach the right to freedom of expression by preventing people from practicing religion.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Britain's discrimination watchdog, has now published new guidance warning that landlords could be at risk of being sued if they try to stop their tenants putting up a satellite dish.

Housing Minister Grant Shapps whinged that the ruling, under the Human Rights Act, threatened to drive a horse and cart through planning laws.

The European Court of Human Rights made the judgement after a Swedish couple were evicted for refusing to take down a dish The judges ruled that the Swedish government had failed in its obligation to protect the couple's right to receive information. It found that satellite dishes come under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The European Commission's Internal Market Commissioner Frits Bolkestein said:

The right to use a satellite dish [is] one of the many concrete benefits for European consumers of the free movement of goods and services within the internal market.

Satellite dishes are an increasingly popular tool for receiving multiple services via satellite: they facilitate mutual exchanges between our various cultures by overcoming national borders, and familiarise the general public with the new remote communications technologies. Their use must therefore be free from any unjustified obstacle.'

 

19th July   

Update: Babe Channels Up For Sanctions...

Ofcom continue to claim wide spread offence yet offer hardly any complaints
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels
  • Office Girls, Sport XXX Girls (Channel 967), 9-10pm and late night

  • 40+ Readers Wives, Essex Babes (Channel 954), late night

  • Sport XXX1, Northern Birds (Channel 955), late night

Office Girls, 40+ Readers Wives and Sport XXX1 are programme segments on babe channels, Sport XXX Girls, Northern Birds and Essex Babes. These services are broadcast on Sky Channels 967, 954 and 955 respectively. The services are freely available without mandatory restricted access. The female presenters dress and behave in a sexually provocative way while encouraging viewers to contact premium rate phone services.

The licences for Sport XXX Girls, Northern Birds and Essex Babes are all held by Satellite Entertainment Limited (SEL).

Ofcom received a  [somehow unspecified] number of complaints about the content listed above. The complainants were concerned about the level of sexual content which they considered was capable of causing offence.

Eg Office Girls, Sport XXX Girls, 5 April 2011, 22:00 to 23:00

The female presenter was wearing a black thong, black fishnet stockings and a white bra. During the broadcast she adopted various sexual positions. While positioned lying on a desk on her side with her legs wide open to camera, she revealed her outer genital area. In this position she thrust forwards to camera and bunched her thong tightly against her genitals to reveal her labia. The presenter was also positioned with her buttocks to camera. While in this position she thrust her buttocks to show anal detail. The images broadcast were prolonged

Ofcom considered:

  • BCAP Code Rule 4.2 states: Advertisements must not cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards
  • BCAP Code Rule 32.3 states: Relevant timing restrictions must be applied to advertisements that, through their content, might harm or distress children of particular ages or that are otherwise unsuitable for them.
  • 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 also quoted their censorship rules for post watershed babe channels:

  • at no time broadcast invasive shots of presenters? bodies. Ofcom cautions against physically intrusive, intimate shots of any duration; and against less intrusive shots that may become unacceptable by virtue of their being prolonged;
  • at no time broadcast anal, labial or genital areas or broadcast images of presenters touching their genital or anal areas either with their hand or an object;
  • ensure that presenters? clothing adequately covers their anal, labial or genital areas. They should also avoid adjusting their clothing (including clutching or bunching) which results in anal, labial or genital areas being exposed;
  • at no time include shots of presenters spitting onto their or others? bodies, or include shots of presenters using other liquids, such as oil and lotions, on their genital or anal areas; or
  • at no time broadcast shots of presenters using liquids of a sort or in a way which suggests the liquid is ejaculate

Ofcom Decision: In Breach of their rules

In Ofcom?s view the sexual images included in all these broadcasts were strong and capable of causing offence (although some were relatively stronger than others). In all cases the content included material that is clearly inconsistent with Ofcom's censorship rules.

Ofcom was additionally concerned that the Licensee did not provide Ofcom with any comments to explain how the material complied with the BCAP Code and published Guidance, nor did it inform Ofcom of any steps taken to improve compliance.

In addition, Ofcom sought comments regarding the quality of the recordings supplied to the regulator by the Licensee. SEL stated it would look into the issue of the quality of the recordings supplied as a matter of urgency. SEL however failed by the deadline set to provide any further recordings to Ofcom that Ofcom considered were of broadcast quality and also no provided no explanation as to the reason for this failure. Consequently, the Licensee is also in breach of Condition 11 of its Licence for failing to have acceptable procedures in place to provide recordings of broadcast quality.

Ofcom has stated that it will not tolerate serious and/or repeated breaches of the BCAP Code in this area by services operating in the sector of daytime and adult chat and will not hesitate to take robust enforcement action where necessary. In the breach finding against SEL published in Broadcast Bulletin 185, Ofcom warned SEL that we would not expect further breaches of the BCAP Code to occur again. In light of the serious and repeated Code breaches recorded in this finding SEL is put on notice that these present contraventions of the BCAP Code are being considered by Ofcom for statutory sanction

 

13th July   

Update: Ofcom Widespread Offence Bollox...

Get Lucky TV causes widespread offence with literally zeroes of complaints
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Get Lucky TV, 10 April 2011, 22:00 to 22:20

Get Lucky TV is a babe channel on Sky channel 909. Get Lucky TV is owned and operated by Grandiose Ltd.

As a result of Ofcom?s continuing concerns about compliance in this sector, Ofcom conducts occasional monitoring of adult chat channels.

In this case, Ofcom noted that between 22:00 and 22:20 the broadcast showed a female presenter wearing a white crop shirt, short tartan skirt and white skimpy thong underneath, knee high white socks and black stiletto shoes. As 22:04 the presenter removed her top and bra. During the broadcast the presenter was shown, for prolonged periods of time: lying on her front, side and back, all with her legs wide open to camera. While in these positions the camera was focused on the presenter's genital and anal area for prolonged periods of time and her outer genital and anal area were shown in close up. While in these positions she was also shown repeatedly thrusting her hips and buttocks and lightly touching around her genital area.

Ofcom considered BCAP Code Rule 4.2 which states:

Advertisements must not cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards.

Ofcom also noted their own censorship rules:

  • at no time broadcast invasive shots of presenters' bodies. Ofcom cautions against physically intrusive, intimate shots of any duration; and against less intrusive shots that may become unacceptable by virtue of their being prolonged
  • at no time broadcast anal, labial or genital areas or broadcast images of presenters touching their genital or anal areas either with their hand or an object

Grandiose said that the content was in conformity with Ofcom guidance and would not cause serious or widespread offence . It stated that the material was broadcast after 22:00 on an appropriately licensed channel within the adult section of the Sky EPG and said that on more than one occasion the presenter emphasised that the content was adult in nature [and] that they [viewers] needed to be over the age of 18.

The Licensee said that there were no physically intrusive or unduly prolonged shots and on average, a period of 2 minutes would elapse before the presenter altered position. It also said that no anal or genital detail was revealed and the presenters' pants, which substantially covered her genital area, remained on. The licensee added that the only close up shot was when the camera panned to the presenter's face and the presenter was careful not to be seen to touching her genital or anal area.

Ofcom Decision: In Breach of Rule 4.2

In Ofcom's view the sexual images included in this broadcast were strong and capable of causing offence. The presenter was wearing a revealing thong and during the broadcast she was shown in various sexual positions. The presenter repeatedly positioned her legs wide apart to camera, and while doing so her genital and anal area were shown in close up. As a consequence the broadcast included some very intrusive images. As set out above, Ofcom guidance cautions against physically intrusive, intimate shots of any duration. Further, some of these intrusive images of the presenter's crotch area were shown for up to two minutes, and therefore, in our view, they were also shown for prolonged periods of time. These strong images were also combined with images of the presenter repeatedly thrusting her buttocks and pelvis as though miming sexual intercourse, and miming masturbation by touching around her genital area.

In this case, given the content included prolonged and frequent scenes of a sexual nature (provided for the purpose of sexual arousal), the location of the channel in the adult section of the EPG was not sufficient to ensure that serious or widespread offence against generally accepted standards was not caused by this content. Ofcom was concerned at the degree of offence likely to be caused to viewers who might come across this material unawares.

Taking into account the factors above, Ofcom has concluded that relevant scheduling restrictions were not applied so as to ensure that the material which was broadcast was not capable of causing serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards. Specifically, this material should not have been broadcast within the context of adult chat advertisements that were freely available without mandatory restricted access. Therefore Ofcom concluded that this material breached Rule 4.2 of the BCAP Code.

 

12th July   

Update: Shocked!...

Ofcom whinge at daytime Babeworld TV
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Bluebird Daytime TV
Babeworld TV, 14 April 2011, 13:45 to 14:45

Bluebird Daytime TV is a programme on the babe channel, Babeworld TV (Sky channel number 908). The service is available freely without mandatory restricted access.

Ofcom received a complaint about the above broadcast. The complainant said that he was shocked to see a girl on a daytime babe phone-in channel adopting sexually explicit positions and facial mannerisms . The complainant added that broadcasts like this should only be shown after the watershed not in the daytime when children can easily see them .

The female presenter was wearing a cropped black bra top, high cut latex red hot pants (which revealed a significant proportion of her buttocks) and black stiletto shoes. During most of the broadcast she was shown lying on her stomach (side on) with her legs open (away from camera). The presenter was also shown: repeatedly gyrating and rocking her buttocks while her legs were open; repeatedly stroking her legs and buttocks and occasionally her breasts; and licking her lips. The broadcast also included six shots of the camera panning up and down the presenter's legs, with close up shots of the presenter's buttocks.

Ofcom considered Rule 32.3 of the BCAP Code:

  • Relevant timing restrictions must be applied to advertisements that, through their content, might harm or distress children of particular ages or that are otherwise unsuitable for them.

Babeworld TV said that:

this genre of content has received widespread publicity over the years and it would be reasonable to say that most Sky subscribers, if not all of them, would be well aware of the adult section and the content they could and actually expect to find there. It added that any Sky subscriber who has concerns over a minor accessing the adult channels is easily able to block this section.

It is certainly not our intention to provide content of a sexual nature. We were aiming to provide content that was light hearted and possibly flirtatious… Babeworld TV said that it did not consider the material in breach of the BCAP Code as we were not advertising a sexual service.

Ofcom Decision: Breach of rule 32.3

Ofcom guidance explicitly states that daytime chat broadcasters should:

  • ensure that presenters are wearing appropriate clothing, that adequately covers their bodies, in particular their breasts, genital areas and buttocks;
  • not broadcast images of presenters touching or stroking their bodies in a suggestive manner;
  • not broadcast images of presenters mimicking sexual intercourse by rocking and thrusting their bodies, or otherwise adopting sexual poses.

In Ofcom's view, the revealing clothing, the sexual position held for relatively prolonged periods and repeated actions of the presenter were intended to be sexually provocative in nature and the broadcast of such sexualised content was inappropriate to advertise daytime chat. In light of this behaviour and imagery, Ofcom concluded that under BCAP Code Rule 32.3 the material included in these daytime broadcasts was clearly unsuitable for children.

Breach of BCAP Code Rule 32.3

 

11th July   

Update: Ofcom Widespread Bollox...

Elite TV causes widespread offence with literally zeroes of complaints
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Elite Nights
Elite TV 2 March-April 2011, late night

Elite Nights is a babe channel on Sky channel 914. The service Elite TV 2 is owned and operated by Over 18 TV.

As a result of Ofcom's continuing concerns about compliance in this sector, Ofcom conducts occasional monitoring of adult chat channels. In these cases, Ofcom noted that the broadcasts contained the following content.

Elite Nights, Elite TV 2 (Channel 914), 19 March 2011, 00:27 to 00:46

The female presenter was wearing a revealing black thong which she removed at 00:40 so that she was naked. During the broadcast (and before she removed her thong) she was shown in various positions for prolonged periods of time, including: lying on her front with her legs open to camera; straddled over a bench with her buttocks to camera; lying on her back with her legs open and at times pulled back towards her head; and bent over a bench with her buttocks towards camera. After the presenter removed her thong she was shown lying on her back with her legs apart and away from camera. While in these positions the presenter was shown pouring and massaging oil onto her breasts, buttocks and legs. She was also shown dribbling oil over her anal area (on top of her thong). The broadcast included images of the presenter repeatedly and heavily thrusting her buttocks for relatively prolonged periods of time, and very close up shots between the presenter's legs. Due to the skimpy underwear she was wearing her outer genital area was shown. While the presenter was naked she was shown turning over and her anus was briefly shown.

Elite Nights, Elite TV 2 (Channel 914), 10 April 2011, 22:17 to 22:55

The female presenter was wearing a white lace body and white fishnet stockings. At various points during the broadcast the presenter was standing over the camera with her legs open. This resulted in a number of prolonged shots between the presenter's legs. The presenter was also shown in various other positions for prolonged periods of time, such as: bending over on all fours with her buttocks to camera; and lying on her back with her legs open to camera. While in these positions viewers were shown very close up and frequent images of the presenter's crotch area, often for prolonged periods of time. She was also shown touching and rubbing around her genital and anal area for prolonged periods of time.

Ofcom considered  BCAP Code Rule 4.2 which states:

Advertisements must not cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards.

Ofcom also noted their own censorship rules:

  • at no time broadcast invasive shots of presenters' bodies. Ofcom cautions against physically intrusive, intimate shots of any duration; and against less intrusive shots that may become unacceptable by virtue of their being prolonged
  • at no time broadcast anal, labial or genital areas or broadcast images of presenters touching their genital or anal areas either with their hand or an object
  • at no time include shots of presenters spitting onto their or others' bodies, or include shots of presenters using other liquids, such as oil and lotions, on their genital or anal areas.

The Licensee said that has made great efforts to ensure our nighttime content meets the applicable standards . It said that measures it has taken include: banning the use of hand-held camera work ; instructing presenters to be appropriately clothed and limit movements to those of a less sexualised style than previously practiced ; and the implementation of a new internal compliance monitoring system. We now have a fully trained member of staff monitoring all of our channels 24 hours a day .

The Licensee said that the material above broadly complied with Ofcom guidance, however it accepted that there are some instances of overly intrusive camera work and, on occasions, the content appears on the outer edges of what could be considered acceptable . It said however that in relation to both broadcasts, despite the shortcomings, which we accept, we feel that, on the whole, the material is highly unlikely to 'cause serious or widespread offence' .

Ofcom Decision: In Breach of Rule 4.2

The content included in the two broadcasts included prolonged and frequent scenes of a sexual nature (provided for the purpose of sexual arousal), the location of the channel in the adult section of the EPG was not sufficient to ensure that serious or widespread offence against generally accepted standards was not caused by this content. Ofcom was concerned at the degree of offence likely to be caused to viewers who might come across this material unawares.

Taking into account the factors above, Ofcom has concluded that relevant scheduling restrictions were not applied so as to ensure that the material which was broadcast was not capable of causing serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards. Specifically, this material should not have been broadcast within the context of adult chat advertisements that were freely available without mandatory restricted access. Therefore Ofcom concluded that this material included in the two broadcasts breached Rule 4.2 of the BCAP Code.

Ofcom considers that these breaches of the BCAP Code are serious and significant. Ofcom has taken several steps to ensure that Licensees are fully aware that the material broadcast on adult chat services is suitable for broadcast without mandatory restricted access. This has included publishing decisions Ofcom has made in this area on the Ofcom website, meeting with Licensees operating in this sector and most notably issuing Guidance. Consequently, these breaches will be held on the Licensee?s compliance record and we will consider further regulatory action should further similar breaches be recorded.

 

10th July   

Update: The Noble Sport of Ofcom Baiting...

Ofcom easily offended by SportXXX1 and Live XXXBabes
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Northern Birds SportXXX1, 12 March 2011, 21:30 to 22:00 and 13 March 2011, 01:00 to 01.20
Asian Babes, Live XXXBabes, 14 March 2011, 00:00

Northern Birds and Asian Babes are free to air babe channels. The female presenter dress and behave in a sexually provocative way while encouraging viewers to contact premium rate phone numbers.

The licences for both the Northern Birds and Live XXX Babes services are held by Satellite Entertainment Ltd. SEL is responsible for the compliance of the Asian Babes content broadcast on the LiveXXXBabes service.

Ofcom received two complaints about content broadcast on Northern Birds and Live XXX Babes. The complainants were concerned about sexual content capable of causing offence.

On viewing the recordings provided by the Licensee, Ofcom noted that the quality was very poor and was of the view that it was not of broadcast quality.

Ofcom considered that this material raised issues under BCAP Code Rule 4.2 which states:

Advertisements must not cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards.

In addition, Condition 11 of the Television Licensable Content Service (TLCS) licence states:

… the Licensee shall: make and retain or arrange for the retention of a recording in sound and vision of every programme included in the Licensed Service for a period of 60 days from the date of its inclusion therein;  and, in addition, the TLCS Guidance Notes for Licence Applicants requires the Licensee to ensure: recordings must be of a standard and in a format which allows Ofcom to view the material as broadcast 2

Ofcom published detailed Guidance on the advertising of telecommunications-based sexual entertainment services eg:

  • at no time broadcast invasive shots of presenters' bodies. Ofcom cautions against physically intrusive, intimate shots of any duration; and against less intrusive shots that may become unacceptable by virtue of their being prolonged; and
  • at no time broadcast anal, labial or genital areas or broadcast images of presenters touching their genital or anal areas either with their hand or an object

Ofcom Decision: Northern Birds, SportXXX1

Ofcom noted that at 21:30, when the presenter was positioned with her legs open to the camera, her labia were visible. This was because the item of clothing worn consisted only of a very thin strip of fabric. In addition, during the broadcast from 21:30, when the presenter thrust her buttocks to camera, she revealed further labial detail and also her anal area.

Ofcom also noted that during the material broadcast at 21:30, whilst the presenter was positioned with her legs open to camera revealing her labia, she stroked and rubbed her genital area with her hand so as to mime masturbation. These images were shown for prolonged periods of time.

During the later broadcast at 01:00, Ofcom noted that the presenter was initially naked and used her hand to cover her genital and anal area whilst she adopted various sexual positions. Whilst covering her genital area, she used her hand to apply firm pressure on her genitals as she thrust her hips backwards and forwards to mime masturbation. Ofcom was particularly concerned that later images of the presenter massaging her genital area and pulling the thin strip of fabric tightly over her vagina to reveal her labia were extremely intrusive, filling the entire screen for prolonged periods of time.

In Ofcom's view the sexual images included in these broadcasts were strong and capable of causing offence. In both cases the broadcasts included material that is explicitly prohibited under Ofcom's guidance, as set out above. Both broadcasts therefore contained material which raised issues under BCAP Code Rule 4.2.

Specifically, this material should not have been broadcast within the context of adult chat advertisements that were freely available without mandatory restricted access. Therefore, Ofcom concluded that the material breached Rule 4.2 of the BCAP Code

Ofcom Decision: Asian Babes, Live XXX Babes

Ofcom noted that one of the presenters, who was wearing a black thong, lay on her side and opened her legs full to camera. In this position she stroked and lightly massaged her genital area to mime masturbation and revealed labial and anal detail. Whilst positioned with her buttocks to camera, the presenter thrust her body vigorously so as to mime sexual intercourse and revealed anal detail. These positions were adopted for prolonged periods of time.

In Ofcom's view the sexual images included in these broadcasts were strong and capable of causing offence. This material should not have been broadcast within the context of adult chat advertisements that were freely available without mandatory restricted access. Therefore, Ofcom concluded that the material breached Rule 4.2 of the BCAP Code.

Ofcom considers that these breaches of the BCAP Code are serious and significant. Ofcom is also concerned that the Licensee did not provide to Ofcom broadcast quality recordings. Consequently, these breaches will be held on the Licensee's compliance record and we will consider further regulatory action should further similar breaches be recorded.

 

4th July   

Update: Ofcom Recommend...

Ofcom prudes easily offended by the softcore babe channels of Red Light TV
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Programmes: Red Light, Bang Babes, Xplicit, 100% Horny
Channels: Red Light 1, 2, 3 (Sky channels 911,902,948)
Times: 21:00 - 22:00 and after 22:00

Red Light, Bang Babes, Red Light 2, Xplicit, Red light 3, and 100% Horny are segments of televised interactive adult sex chat advertisement babe channels broadcast on the services Red Light 1, Red Light 2 and Red Light 3.

These three services are available freely without mandatory restricted access on Sky channel numbers 911, 902 and 948 respectively. These services are in the adult section of the Sky Electronic Programme Guide ( Sky EPG ). 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.

The licence for Red Light 1 is owned and operated by Just4Us; and the licences for Red Light 2 and Red Light 3 are owned and operated by Playboy TV. Just4Us is a wholly owned subsidiary of Playboy TV.

Ofcom received a complaint about the content listed above. In summary the complainant considered the material was becoming more and more sexually explicit and is clearly way beyond what could be deemed acceptable .

An example from Red Light 1 of clearly way beyond what could be deemed acceptable :

The naked female presenter was shown spitting onto her breasts, wiping saliva onto her buttocks and letting saliva drip onto her genital area. The broadcast also Ofcom Broadcast Bulletin, Issue 185 4 July 2011 12 included images of the presenter: rubbing oil all over her body, particularly onto her breasts; pouring oil onto her buttocks; adopting sexual positions, such as on her back with her legs wide open to camera; mimicking sexual intercourse; mimicking oral sex on a man using her fingers; and gyrating her hips whilst applying pressure with her cupped hand to cover her genital area. During the broadcast the presenter was also shown using the telephone to cover her genital area.

Ofcom considered:

  • BCAP advertising Code Rule 4.2 states: Advertisements must not cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards.
  • BCAP advertising Code Rule 32.3 states: Relevant timing restrictions must be applied to advertisements that, through their content, might harm or distress children of particular ages or that are otherwise unsuitable for them.

Playboy TV explained that although most of these programmes were examined under Rule 4.2 of the BCAP Code, there is no evidence to suggest that serious or widespread offence was caused by any of these broadcasts, in fact quite the opposite. Ofcom monitoring or a solitary public or competitor complaint were the sole instigators of these enquiries .

It added However, we recognise there are always areas for improvement and there are a few which have been identified here, specifically the labial detail, which we had previously construed to mean rather more detail than we were permitting. However, as mentioned above, a change of underwear type will prevent this reoccurring, and also lead to a reduction of an intrusive feel to shots. The incidents of saliva dripping and spitting are limited, but will be eradicated from future broadcasts .

Ofcom re-iterated some of their censorship rules:

  • at no time broadcast invasive shots of presenters' bodies. Ofcom cautions against physically intrusive, intimate shots of any duration; and against less intrusive shots that may become unacceptable by virtue of their being prolonged;
  • at no time broadcast anal, labial or genital areas or broadcast images of presenters touching their genital or anal areas either with their hand or an object;
  • ensure that presenters' clothing adequately covers their anal, labial or genital areas. They should also avoid adjusting their clothing (including clutching or bunching) which results in anal, labial or genital areas being exposed;
  • at no time include shots of presenters spitting onto their or others' bodies, or include shots of presenters using other liquids, such as oil and lotions, on their genital or anal areas.
  • at no time broadcast shots of presenters using liquids of a sort or in a way which suggests the liquid is ejaculate

Ofcom Decision: Breach of rules 4.2 & 32.3

The examples highlighted above include images that are not permitted in adult chat broadcast advertisements that are freely available without mandatory restricted access. Ofcom noted that in conjunction with those images the presenters performed various other actions including: stroking their bodies; gyrating their hips; massaging oil into their breasts; and mimicking sexual intercourse. The combination of these images and action resulted in strong sexual material.

Given the content included prolonged and frequent scenes of a strong sexual nature, the location of the channel in the adult section of the EPG was not sufficient to ensure serious or widespread offence against generally accepted standards was not caused. This was regardless of the fact the content was shown between the hours of 22:00 and 01:00.Ofcom was also concerned at the degree of offence likely to be caused to viewers who might come across this material unawares. Taking into account the factors above, Ofcom has concluded that relevant scheduling restrictions were not applied so as to ensure that the material which was broadcast was not capable of causing serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards. Specifically, this material should not have been broadcast within the context of adult chat advertisements that were freely available without mandatory restricted access.

Therefore Ofcom concluded that this material breached Rule 4.2 of the BCAP Code

Ofcom also concluded that the material shown between 9 and 10pm was not suitable for this hour and therefore breached Rule 32.3 of the BCAP Code.

In light of the serious and repeated Code breaches recorded in this finding, and other breach findings recently recorded against Playboy complied material, Playboy TV and Just4us Limited are put on notice that these present contraventions of the BCAP Code are being considered by Ofcom for statutory sanction.

 

25th June   

Update: Off the Record...

Ofcom fines babe channel operator over lack of recordings of Essex Babes, Northern Birds and Live XXX Babes
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Ofcom have fined Satellite Entertainment Limited (SEL) £ 90,000. SEL hold the licences for 3 babe channels that have 'offended' the TV censor.

The fines were for censorship breaches by Essex Babes, Northern Birds and Live XXX Babes

Ofcom found that on nine occasions the SEL had failed to provide recordings of programmes to Ofcom (in breach of licensing condition 11).

informationoverlord.co.uk report that during this period SEL had rented the channel to a 3rd party who then dealt directly with Ofcom.

When SEL became aware of compliance problems by the company it terminated its agreement with the company.

Ofcom's sanctions Committee were said to be very concerned that SEL had lost control of its services to a third party, but said that ultimately SEL as the licensee is still the party that has responsibility for compliance.

 

24th May   

Update: Ofcom See Red...

Ofcom whinge at Red Light Central babe channel
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Red Light Central
Extreme,
23 February 2011, 21:00 to 21:50

Red Light Central is televised interactive adult sex chat programme broadcast on the service Extreme, which is available free to air on Sky channel number 916. The licence for this service is owned and operated by Playboy UK TV Limited

Ofcom received a complaint about alleged inappropriate adult content broadcast at various times between 21:00 and 21:50 on 23 February 2011. The complainant considered the content was highly sexualised and that the presenter was miming sexual intercourse and oral sex and considered such material was more appropriate after 22:00.

Ofcom noted the female presenter was wearing red fishnet stockings, red bra and thong, black knee high leather boots, a short black leather skirt hitched up around her waist and a denim waistcoat. On several occasions between 21:00 and 21:30, and throughout the remainder of the broadcast, the presenter knelt on all fours with her buttocks pointing upwards and towards the camera but at an angle, and lay on her back with her legs open to camera. While in these positions she gyrated her hips in a sexual manner so as to mimic sexual intercourse and at times her genital area was not adequately covered. She also stroked her thighs and breasts, opened her mouth in a sexual rather than flirtatious manner, and briefly mimed oral sex.

Ofcom therefore considered whether this material raised issues under Rule 32.3 of the BCAP Code:

  • Relevant timing restrictions must be applied to advertisements that, through their content, might harm or distress children of particular ages or that are otherwise unsuitable for them.

Ofcom Decision: Breach of BCAP Code Rule 32.3

In the context of broadcasts on television of material soon after the 21:00 watershed, Rule 32.3 of the BCAP Code is substantially equivalent to Rule 1.6 of the Broadcasting Code. Rule 1.6 provides that:

The transition to more adult material must not be unduly abrupt at the watershed (in the case of television)… For television, the strongest material should appear later in the schedule.

In Ofcom's view, the revealing clothing and repeated actions and sexual positions and actions of the presenter were intended to be sexually provocative in nature. In light of this behaviour and imagery, Ofcom concluded that under BCAP Code Rule 32.3, this material was clearly unsuitable for children.

Ofcom then considered under BCAP Code Rule 32.3 whether relevant timing or scheduling restrictions had been applied by Playboy TV to this broadcast. Ofcom took account of the fact that the Extreme channel is in the adult section of the Sky EPG.  In Ofcom's opinion, viewers (and in particular parents) would not expect such material to be broadcast so soon after 21:00. Further, the broadcast of such relatively strong sexualised content was inappropriate to advertise adult sex chat so soon after the 21:00 watershed.

This broadcast was therefore in breach of BCAP Code Rule 32.3.

 

23rd May   

Fatwa Bait...

Dolly Buster targets the Middle East for her hardcore satellite porn channels
Link Here

Porn icon Dolly Buster told super.cz that Middle Easterners are among the markets she's courting with five new porn TV channels: I've launched erotic satellite television that, in addition to Europe is available in Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia.

Every man on the planet needs sex, including in Arab countries, the famously buxom 41-year-old Czech emigre responds when asked whether she doesn't fear a fatwa.

It's more likely to be ignored, of course, than to incur the wrath of religious types in a region saturated  with satellite dishes.

 

19th May   

Soft in 3D...

Penthouse introduce new European softcore TV channel
Link Here

The world of 3D porn has just got a bit flatter with the loss of some of those all important sticky out bits.

Penthouse has launched its second TV channel dedicated exclusively to 3D adult content. Called Penthouse 3D Soft, this one features softcore content, as opposed to the company's flagship Penthouse 3D network, which contains more stronger 3D exploits.

The Soft channel launched earlier this month in Turkey, and is beginning to make its way through the rest of Europe.

Both networks only operate during the overnight hours. Almost all of the flicks are filmed in 3D exclusively for Penthouse.

 

10th May   

Soft Penalty...

Red Hot Mums gets censured for unencrypted softcore porn
Link Here

Red Hot Mums
8-9th January 22:20 - 00:30

Red Hot Mums is a pay-per-view channel which broadcasts adult content on Sky channel 905. It broadcasts most of its content subject to mandatory restricted access protections. The licensee is RHF Productions Ltd.

A viewer complained that strong sex material was transmitted without mandatory restricted access for ten minutes on the night of 8 January 2011 at 23:20.

After investigation the broadcaster confirmed that another ten-minute sequence had been broadcast without encryption on the night of 8 January 2011 and that two ten- minute transmissions had been wrongly broadcast without mandatory restricted access protections the following night. The broadcaster supplied recordings of all of the material concerned.

The recordings variously contained portrayals of intercourse, fellatio, cunnilingus and the use of sex aids but the sexual activities featured were either simulated or not shown with explicit detail. Clear shots of female genitals were included. Strong sexual language, including sexual swear words, also featured heavily in much of the material.

Ofcom considered:

  • Rule 1.18: 'Adult sex material' - material that contains images and/or language of a strong sexual nature which is broadcast for the primary purpose of sexual arousal or stimulation - must not be broadcast at any time other than between 2200 and 0530 on premium subscription services and pay per view/night services which operate with mandatory restricted access. In addition, measures must be in place to ensure that the subscriber is an adult.
  • Rule 2.1 Generally accepted standards must be applied to the contents of television and radio services so as to provide adequate protection for members of the public from the inclusion in such services of harmful and/or offensive material.
  • Rule 2.3 In applying generally accepted standards broadcasters must ensure that material which may cause offence is justified by the context (see meaning of context below). Such material may include, but is not limited to, offensive language, violence, sex, sexual violence, humiliation, distress, violation of human dignity, discriminatory treatment or language (for example on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race, religion, beliefs and sexual orientation). Appropriate information should also be broadcast where it would assist in avoiding or minimising offence.

In addition, the two sequences from 9 January 2011 contained a number of spot advertisements for sex chat phone services and pornographic products. Therefore Ofcom also considered

  • Rule 23.2.1 Television only – Advertising for telecommunications-based sexual entertainment services is only acceptable on…encrypted elements of adult entertainment channels...
  • Rule 30.3 Television only – Advertisements for products coming within the recognised character of pornography are permitted behind mandatory restricted access on adult entertainment channels only.

RHF said that the broadcast without encryption of the four sequences of adult material had been the result of human error. The Licensee told us that the employees concerned were suspended and an investigatory meeting held. Following further investigation the two experienced members of staff received formal written warnings.

Ofcom Decision

It was clear to Ofcom – and was admitted by the Licensee - that the content complained of was „adult sex material. This was because it contained images of a strong sexual nature broadcast for the primary purpose of sexual arousal or stimulation, therefore breaching Rule 1.18. Rules 2.1 and 2.3 were also breached.

As regards Rules 23.2.1 and 30.3 of the BCAP Code, Ofcom noted that the spot advertisements were for telecommunications-based sexual entertainment services and other pornographic products (and so came within the recognised character of pornography), and were not encrypted. These BCAP Rules were therefore also contravened.

However, Ofcom noted this was the first time that the Licensee had made transmission errors of this sort had occurred with RHF and we noted the arguments presented in mitigation. In light of this, Ofcom stopped short of referring this case for consideration of the imposition of a statutory sanction.

However, as with all breaches of the Code and BCAP Code, these will be held on file, forming part of the Licensee's compliance history. Ofcom is putting the Licensee on notice that, should it repeat similar breaches in the future, we will proceed to consider the imposition of statutory sanctions.

 

14th April   

Red Hot News...

Red Hot Sex TV set to become Dolly Buster
Link Here

As of 1st May 2011, RedHotSexTV will be called Dolly Buster presented by Red Hot .

Dolly buster is a very successful Adult DVD company from Germany and will be offering their content exclusively through Red Hot.

Dolly is the face of the company (and many of the films) and will similarly become the face of this new satellite service.

All Red Hot cards that are currently on the market will continue to work on the new service. The 4 channel cards will still get four channels and the HD card will get 4 channels plus the HD channel.

The new channel names are:

  • DB Media featuring hardcore and promotional material
  • DB Hardcore featuring hetero and gay hardcore
  • DB Classic with classic films, casting and MILF programming
  • DB 5 Star with S&M, fetish and transsexual programming
  • DB HD High definition films from all genres

The channels will still be on Hotbird 11.200 Vertical, 27500, 5/6 but customers may need to rescan on the 1st to update the channel names.

 

11th April

 Offsite: Prudish Censors...

Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels
TV censor reveals Ofcom's parallel world

See article from guardian.co.uk

 

11th April   

Update: Elitist Censors...

Ofcom have another prudish whinge at Elite TV
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Elite Days
Elite TV (Channel 965)
Elite TV 2 (Channel 914)
30 November 2010 - 8 December 2010, 10:00 - 14:00

Elite Nights
Elite TV (Channel 965)
30 November 2010 - 4 January 2011, 21:00 - 01:20

Elite Days is televised daytime interactive chat advertisement programming broadcast on the services Elite TV and Elite TV 2 (Sky channel numbers 965 and 911 respectively). These services are available freely without mandatory restricted access and are situated in the adult section of the Sky electronic programme guide ( EPG ). Viewers are invited to contact onscreen female presenters via premium rate telephony services ( PRS ). The presenters generally dress and behave in a flirtatious manner.

Elite Nights is televised interactive adult sex chat advertisement programming broadcast from 21:00 on the same two services and Sky channels. This service is also available freely without mandatory restricted access and is situated in the adult section of the Sky EPG. Viewers are invited to contact onscreen female presenters via PRS. The female presenters dress and behave in a sexually provocative way while encouraging viewers to contact the PRS numbers.

The service Elite TV is owned and operated by Primetime TV Limited; and Elite TV 2 is owned and operated by Over 18 TV Limited.

Ofcom received complaints about the above broadcasts of Elite Days. In summary the complainants were concerned that these broadcasts showed sexual content that was too strong to transmit before the watershed. In particular, the complainants were concerned that the broadcasts were transmitted at a time when children could have been watching.

Ofcom provided a few exampled of what they were whingeing about eg:

Elite Days, Elite TV (Channel 965), 30 November 2010, 12:00 to 13:15

The female presenter was wearing a black lace body with her black bra and thong visible underneath, and thigh high boots. During the broadcast the presenter sat facing towards camera with her legs wide open for long periods of time. She also: lay on her side with her legs open; positioned her buttocks to camera; repeatedly gyrated her buttocks; and repeatedly stroked her buttocks, inner thigh and breasts. There were also shots panning up and down the presenter's body.

Elite Nights, Elite TV (Channel 965), 30 November 2010, 22:30 to 23:35

Ofcom noted that between 22:30 and 23:00 the female presenter was wearing a revealing black thong which revealed her outer genital area. She was not wearing a top. During the broadcast the presenter was shown, for prolonged periods of time: lying on her back with her legs wide open to camera; lying on her front with her legs apart facing the camera; and kneeling on all fours with her buttocks positioned to camera. While in these positions the presenter forcefully thrust her buttocks for prolonged periods of time towards camera; repeatedly touched around her genital and anal area; and licked her breasts. The broadcast included close up shots of the presenter's genital area.

Ofcom censors babe channels as advertising so considered the advertising BCAP Code Rules:.

  • BCAP Code Rule 4.2: Advertisements must not cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards.
  • BCAP Code Rule 30.3: Television only -- Advertisements for products coming within the recognised character of pornography are permitted behind mandatory restricted access on adult entertainment channels only.
  • BCAP Code Rule 30.3.2: Television only -- Advertisements permitted under rules 30.3... must not feature material that comes within the recognised character of pornography before 10.00pm or after 5.30am.
  • BCAP Code Rule 32.3: Relevant timing restrictions must be applied to advertisements that, through their content, might harm or distress children of particular ages or that are otherwise unsuitable for them.

Ofcom Decision: In Breach

Elite Days

The daytime broadcasts all contained material which raised similar issues under BCAP Code Rule 32.3. All of the broadcasts featured female presenters wearing skimpy and revealing clothing. For example, in all cases the female presenters wore thongs that provided minimal coverage of their buttocks. The presenters were all shown acting in a sexualised manner by repeatedly adopting various sexual positions, such as: kneeling on all fours and positioning their buttocks to camera; sitting and facing the camera with their legs wide open; and lying on their side and back with their legs wide open (away from camera). In some cases the presenters were in these positions for prolonged periods of time. While in these positions, all of the presenters repeatedly: rocked and/or gyrated their buttocks and pelvis as though miming sexual intercourse; touched or shook their breasts; and touched their bodies (including their buttocks and inner thighs) in a sexually provocative manner. In addition, in all cases the broadcasts included shots of the camera panning up and down the presenters' bodies.

In Ofcom's view, the revealing clothing and repeated actions and sexual positions of the presenters were intended to be sexually provocative in nature and the broadcast of such strong sexualised content was inappropriate to advertise daytime chat. In light of this behaviour and imagery, Ofcom concluded that under BCAP Code Rule 32.3 the material included in these daytime broadcasts was clearly unsuitable for children.

Ofcom then considered under BCAP Code Rule 32.3 whether relevant timing or scheduling restrictions were applied to these broadcasts by the Licensees. Ofcom noted that the services Elite TV and Elite TV 2 are situated in the adult section of the EPG. However, all the broadcasts were transmitted without mandatory access restrictions at various times during the day when children may have been watching television, some unaccompanied by an adult. Taking into account the factors above, Ofcom has concluded that relevant timing and scheduling restrictions were not applied to the broadcasts so as to offer adequate protection to children.

Ofcom also concluded under BCAP Code Rule 4.2 (generally accepted standards) that, given the strong nature of the material as decribed above and inappropriate scheduling of the material during the daytime, it would cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards.

Therefore Ofcom concluded that this material breached Rules 4.2 and 32.3 of the BCAP Code.

Elite Nights

In Ofcom's view, the primary purpose of broadcasting this material was clearly sexual arousal. Given the above, the material was, in Ofcom's view, of a very strong sexual nature and would have been considered by viewers to be “within the recognised character of pornography”. The broadcast of this advertising programming, without mandatory restricted access, was therefore in breach of BCAP Code Rule 30.3.

Ofcom has concluded that relevant scheduling restrictions were not applied so as to ensure that the material did not cause widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards. Therefore Ofcom concluded that this material breached Rule 4.2 of the BCAP Code.

Final Warning

Ofcom notes that these contraventions of the BCAP Code by the Licensees occurred after various published Ofcom decisions, but before Ofcom issued on 28 January 2011 new and detailed guidance to daytime and adult sex chat advertising broadcasters about compliance with the BCAP Code (see footnote 6 above).

In light of our serious concerns, Ofcom has already held a meeting with the Licensees to discuss their compliance arrangements. Ofcom puts Primetime TV and Over 18 TV on formal notice that it must take all necessary and appropriate measures to ensure its channels comply with the BCAP Code in the future. If further breaches of the BCAP Code occur, Ofcom will consider further regulatory action.

 

11th February   

Dusk...

A Dutch porn channel for women
Link Here

Dusk is a new Dutch TV channel that features porn for women.

The channel claims to be the first in Europe and provides 24/7 real sex pornography and erotica targeted at a female audience.

We call it porna, to give the idea that it's porn made for women, something different from traditional porno, said Martijn Broersma, the man behind Dusk.

 

10th February   

Update: The Babe Rules...

Ofcom reveal their detailed censorship rules for babe channels
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Ofcom have interpreted the TV advertising rules created by BCAP (Broadcast Code of Advertising) which forms part of the Advertising Standards Authority.

General

Babe channels must not mislead about pricing etc and in particular must not suggest that programming is live when in fact a recording is showing.

Pre-watershed Free-to-air Babe Shows (Daytime Chat)

The presentation of daytime chat should always be suitable for wide audiences, that is for audiences including children and young persons. Therefore the content should be suitable for children to view should they come across it unawares. Such services should not suggest that sex chat of any sort is available by using the numbers being advertised or otherwise, nor seek to suggest that the channel will be offering sexual entertainment services at a later time. All dress and behaviour should be non-sexual in tone and apparent intent. Presenters should not adopt poses or behave in ways that suggest sexual acts or sexual availability. Therefore, presenters should not cross the line between very

restrained glamorous presentation and sexual dress, speech, expression or conduct. Set out below are some of the key points that licensees should apply when broadcasting these services. Please note that the following points are not exhaustive.

Daytime chat broadcasters should:

  • ensure that presenters are wearing appropriate clothing, that adequately covers their bodies, in particular their breasts, genital areas and buttocks. Presenters should not wear revealing underwear, swimwear, gym wear or fetish clothing;
  • not broadcast images of presenters touching or stroking their bodies in a suggestive manner, in particular avoiding breasts, thighs, crotches and buttocks;
  • not broadcast images of presenters mimicking sexual intercourse by rocking and thrusting their bodies, or otherwise adopting sexual poses;
  • not broadcast images of any mimed sex acts; and
  • not broadcast close up and intrusive images of presenters breasts.

Website references

Under Rule 30.3, Ofcom licensed services that are broadcast without mandatory restricted access must not promote websites that contain material within the recognised character of pornography.

Post-watershed  Free-to-air Babe Shows (Adult Chat)

After 9pm any move towards stronger – but still very restrained – material containing sexual imagery should be gradual and progressive.

The 9pm threshold does not apply to Digital Terrestrial Television channels. On those channels adult chat cannot be broadcast before 12am or after 5.30am.

Please note that the following points are not exhaustive.

Adult chat broadcasters should:

  • not broadcast shots of bare breasts before 22:00; .
  • at no time broadcast invasive shots of presenters' bodies. Ofcom cautions against physically intrusive, intimate shots of any duration; and against less intrusive shots that may become unacceptable by virtue of their being prolonged;
  • at no time broadcast anal, labial or genital areas or broadcast images of presenters touching their genital or anal areas either with their hand or an object;
  • ensure that presenters' clothing adequately covers their anal, labial or genital areas. They should also avoid adjusting their clothing (including clutching or bunching) which results in anal, labial or genital areas being exposed;
  • at no time broadcast images of any real or simulated sex acts (these include vaginal or anal intercourse, masturbation, fellatio or cunnilingus);
  • at no time include shots of presenters spitting onto their or others' bodies, or include shots of presenters using other liquids, such as oil and lotions, on their genital or anal areas.
  • at no time broadcast shots of presenters using liquids of a sort or in a way which suggests the liquid is ejaculate;
  • at no time broadcast sexually explicit language;
  • ensure any sexual language broadcast is restrained, and avoid its use altogether before midnight; and
  • ensure that where more than one presenter is in shot greater care is taken to avoid broadcasting the above images or language.

Website references

Under Rule 30.3, Ofcom licensed services that are broadcast without mandatory restricted access must not promote websites that contain material within the recognised character of pornography.

Post-watershed  Encrypted Babe Shows (Adult Chat)

Under Rule 23.2.1, advertising for telecommunications-based sexual entertainment refers to material that is of the strength that is only appropriate under mandatory restricted access and the other controls, including permitted hours, that exist for channels broadcasting adult sex material .

Standards for advertising material can reasonably be interpreted with reference to those standards that apply to the generality of such channels' content.

Under Rules 30.3 and 30.3.2, advertising for products that are considered to be pornography are permitted behind mandatory restricted access on adult entertainment channels only, between 10.00pm and 5.30am. However, Rule 30.3.1 is clear that advertisements, whether behind mandatory restricted access or not, must not feature (that is contain) R18-rated material or equivalent images.

 

8th February   

Update: Obscure Reasoning...

Now Ofcom ban even obscured penetration shots on adult encrypted TV claiming them to be R18 material
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

   Ofcom TV Censors

Ofcom have revealed some of their TV censorship rules banning hardcore on UK TV even in encrypted adult paid for services. Ofcom have decided that sex is R18 (hardcore) material if it is obviously real from the physics of the interaction, even if the insertion details are obscured.

Ofcom found scenes on Climax 3-3 to be R18 material because: viewers would have reasonably believed that penetration was taking place despite there being no explicit shots of point of insertion.

Perhaps someone from Playboy should ask the BBFC to comment on this assertion. In reality it is pretty easy to distinguish simulated in intercourse from real intercourse even when blocked by the usual softcore techniques. A hard real connection between the performers is easily deduced from the movement of the bits and bobs left unobscured.

See  article from  stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk

Climax 3-3
1 July 2010, 22:15 to 22:45

Climax 3-3 was a channel broadcast under a licence held by Playboy TV. The channel was subject to mandatory restricted access with measures in place to ensure the subscriber is an adult. The channel however included some freeview sections broadcast without mandatory restricted access in order to promote the channel and encourage viewers to subscribe.

On 1 July 2010 between 22:15 and 22:45, the service showed prolonged 3 scenes of sexual activity.

The first scene showed two actresses' in a bar setting. This scene included the depiction of the insertion of a bottle, a straw, a dildo and a hand-held soft drink dispenser gun. The second scene showed what appeared to be a lone woman urinating in a barn. The third scene showed three actresses' in a barn who appeared to be inserting fingers and dildos into themselves and each other.

The sexual activity in all three scenes included depictions of: insertion of dildos, fingers and other objects either by one female on another or one female on herself; oral sex; and masturbation; During the broadcast the camera featured close up and intimate shots of the sexual activity but some activity was partially hidden by parts of the actresses' bodies.

On 2 July 2010 Playboy informed Ofcom that there had been a scheduling error by the company that organised the listing of its broadcasts and that this material had been played out by mistake without any protections.

Some time later Ofcom [conveniently] received a complaint from a viewer who said that broadcasts in the freeview section of Climax 3-3 on 1 July 2010 included some strong material that should have been subject to mandatory restricted access.

Ofcom considered:

  • Rule 1.17 Material equivalent to the British board of Film Classification (BBFC) R18-rating must not be broadcast at any time .

Playboy confirmed that the material had been broadcast without mandatory restricted access and in error and had now put in place stringent new checking processes to ensure this would not happen again.

Regarding the explicitness of the material and whether this was of R18 equivalent rating, Playboy said that there were a limited number of borderline shots of angles where there could be some debate over whether the object or finger penetration was simulated. It said that when deciding whether to edit out certain shots from its material it always sought advice from the BBFC. It said that it went by the rule that if it cannot be argued that penetration is not occurring, then it must be cut . For example fingers may be bent at the knuckle rather than penetrating, objects may go underneath or behind an orifice, and if objects are filmed from behind there could potentially be a gap between the orifice and the object. With regard to what appeared to be urination by one of the actresses, Playboy argued that it always ensured that the point of exit was obscured so that it could be argued that the act was simulated, for example, by using a water bottle hidden by a leg.

Playboy argued that there was nothing broadcast which could be construed as unarguably R18 or equivalent i.e. full-on penetration . It did accept that there was a very fine line between simulated and non-simulated activity.

Ofcom Decision: In breach of rule 1.17

In considering the content of this programme Ofcom asked itself first whether the content of the programme was equivalent to that in a BBFC R18-rated film or video.

Ofcom first examined a scene during this broadcast which included what appeared to be a lone actress urinating. Ofcom considered that this scene had a clear focus on the act of urination and that, as with other material in this programme, was broadcast for the primary purpose of sexual arousal. In the circumstances, Ofcom considered that this particular content was of an equivalent standard to R18-rated material and its broadcast was therefore a breach of Rule 1.17.

Ofcom next examined other scenes in the programme which appeared to show either vaginal or anal penetration by various objects, including dildos, fingers and a bottle. Ofcom recognised that these scenes were less clear. However, viewers would have reasonably believed that penetration was taking place despite there being no explicit shots of point of insertion. In particular, Ofcom considered that despite the partially obscured nature of the images, viewers would have been left with the clear impression that penetration by the bottle had occurred in the first scene and that penetration by dildos had occurred in the third scene.

In any event, this material clearly constituted at the very least adult sex material -- i.e. images of a strong sexual nature that were broadcast for the primary purpose of sexual arousal and should not therefore have been broadcast without mandatory restricted access. Ofcom welcomes the proactive stance of Playboy with regard to this matter.

However, this is a serious breach of the Code. Material equivalent to BBFC R18 content must not be broadcast at any time. As a result, the Licensee is put on notice that this present contravention of its licence is being considered for the imposition of a statutory sanction.

Breach of Rule 1.17

 

7th February   

Survey: Babe Channels...

Let Ofcom know what you think of their repressive TV censorship
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Ofcom has recently switched babe channels from being censored as TV programmes to being censored as advertising.

The TV censor has used the more restrictive rules to ban anything even remotely sexual from free to air TV.

Bluebird TV are clearly not impressed by Ofcom's prudery and have organised a survey of babe channel viewers and will report the findings to Ofcom.

Ofcom need a bit of education in this area, they seem to be continually claiming that the babe channel audience actually want the repressive censorship that Ofcom dishes out.

The survey is very detailed and a bit obtuse at times, but it is the first I have seen that goes beyond the vague wishy washy surveys that you usually get.

...Fill in the survey [Note ignore the misleading links at the top of the page, the link to the survey is in the middle]

 

4th February   

Update: Premier League Doesn't Understand EU Offside Rules...

European Court suggestion that free trade law allows subscription to mainland European TV services
Link Here
Full story: No Free Trade for Satellite TV...Subscription to EU channels whilst in the UK

Pub landlord Karen Murphy is defending her right to show English Premier League matches in her pub using a fully paid up subscription to Greek satellite TV.

In a decision that could change the way sports rights are sold across the continent, the European court of justice was advised that forbidding pubs from buying in cheap football coverage from overseas operators was incompatible with European free trade laws.

Murphy was taken to court by a company representing the league over her decision to import a Greek decoder to show the games rather than paying Sky, which holds the rights in the UK. She has fought the case all the way to the highest European court.

Juliane Kokott, one of the eight advocate generals of the European court of justice, advised that selling on a territory-by-territory basis represented a serious impairment of freedom to provide services , adding that the economic exploitation of the [TV] rights is  not undermined by the use of foreign decoder cards as the corresponding charges have been paid for those cards .

Because Murphy had paid the legitimate rights holder in Greece, she was entitled to receive its satellite broadcasts. Whilst those charges are not as high as the charges imposed in the UK there is ... no specific right to charge different prices for a work in each member state, Kokott said. Selling on a basis of territorial exclusivity was tantamount to profiting from the elimination of the internal market .

Kokott's opinion is not binding, but the Luxembourg court usually follows the advice of advocate generals. The court is expected to deliver its verdict later this year. As well as the criminal case against Murphy, civil cases against two importers of the decoder cards are being considered in parallel.

 

25th January   

Update: Ofcom Babe Bulletin...

Fines or bans on the way for Live XXX, Live 960 and Northern Birds. Final warning for Playboy's 40 n Naughty
Link Here
Full story: Babe Channels...Ofcom have it in for free to air babe channels

Bluebird TV
Live XXX Babes, nighttime
Northern Birds, nighttime

Ofcom received complaints about alleged inappropriate content broadcasts but the Licensee, SEL, failed to provide recordings of the programmes requested regardless of the approaches made by Ofcom.

The Licensee was put on notice in Bulletin 171 that the two breaches published would be added to the Licensee's compliance record and would be considered for sanction, in addition to the three breaches previously recorded in Bulletin 170.

Following the four further contraventions recorded in this finding, Ofcom considers that the nine breaches of SEL's licences recorded are individually serious and have been repeated. As a result, these contraventions of its licences will be considered for the imposition of a statutory sanction.

Bluebird TV
Live 960, daytime

Again Ofcom received complaints about alleged inappropriate content.  The Licensee; Hoppr, failed to provide the recording of the material requested regardless of the approaches made by Ofcom.

The Licensee was informed in Bulletins 144, 169 & 170 that the further recorded licence condition breach would be referred for consideration of the imposition of a statutory sanction.

Following the further contravention recorded in this finding, Ofcom considers that this breach and the breach recorded in Bulletin 170 of Hoppr's licence condition are individually serious and have been repeated. As a result, these two contraventions of its licence will be considered for the imposition of a statutory sanction.

Bluebird TV
Live 960, nighttime

On this occasion Ofcom were themselves watching so didn't require recordings.

Ofcom noted that between 00:20 and 01:30 on 25 September 2010, the content included a nastiness in the jail section with a presenter wearing striped knickers and striped legwarmers. She adopted various positions including: on all fours with her bottom to camera; sat over a toilet seat and over a bed with her legs open; and, stood up holding onto the bars of the jail setting with her legs wide. While in these positions she: stroked and licked her nipples; rubbed her genitals in a sustained and vigorous manner simulating masturbation, both over and inside her knickers; rubbed herself with her fingers and against the bed while her knickers were removed; and, spanked her buttocks harshly so as to leave a red mark. During her performance and due to her pulling at her knickers which at one point she removed, labial and anal detail were visible.

Ofcom considered this a breach of:

  • BCAP Code Rule 4.2: Advertisements must not cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards.

And again Hoppr seems set for a fine or ban as Ofcom concluded:

This contravention of the BCAP Code is therefore a further example of poor compliance by this Licensee within a short period of time. This serious and significant breach will be taken into account in Ofcom's consideration of the imposition of a statutory sanction.

40nNaughty
Red Light Lounge, daytime
Red Light Central, nightime

The service 40nNaughty is owned and operated by Just4us TV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Playboy TV UK/Benelux.

Ofcom received complaints about the above four broadcasts of Red Light Lounge. The complainant was concerned that the content of the material was far too graphic especially when children could inadvertently view this channel . The complainant said that the female presenters on screen were behaving in a very provocative sexual manner miming sexual acts which was totally inappropriate for the time of day and the content was of an incredibly strong sexual nature .

Ofcom also received a complaint about the above broadcast of Red Light Central. The complainant said that during the broadcast the female presenter on screen was licking her fingers and simulating oral sex, she performed other strong sexual acts during this same time period. Her bikini knickers were far too small and allowed her vaginal lips to be exposed .

Ofcom found these programmes in breach of BCAP Code:

  • Rule 4.2 ( Advertisements must not cause serious or widespread offence against generally accepted moral, social or cultural standards. )
  • 32.3 ( Relevant timing restrictions must be applied to advertisements that, through their content, might harm or distress children of particular ages or that are otherwise unsuitable for them )

In this case Playboy was given a final warning

In August and December 2010 Ofcom recorded breaches of the Broadcasting Code and BCAP Code, respectively, against Playboy for content broadcast on its licensed service Tease Me TV 24.

In light of the above and Ofcom's recent concerns with Just4Us and Playboy's compliance, Ofcom is now requiring the licensees to attend a meeting at Ofcom to discuss its compliance procedures.

Ofcom also puts Just4Us and Playboy on notice that it must take all necessary and appropriate measures to ensure its channels comply with the BCAP Code in the future.

Ofcom will not expect further breaches of this nature to occur again.

 

13th January   

Penthouse in 3D...

Adding depth to porn
Link Here

Penthouse has announced plans to launch the world's first 3D TV channel.

In a prepared statement, Penthouse parent FriendFinder Networks said the PENTHOUSE 3D Channel will feature original adult-oriented programming shot in native high definition and 3D.

We started shooting in 3D this past summer, and have significantly invested to perfect 3D production quality, said FriendFinder Networks CEO Marc Bell.

FriendFinder said in the announcement that the PENTHOUSE 3D Channel is expected to be available to system operators for public broadcast in the second quarter of 2011. Penthouse currently operates PENTHOUSE HD, which offers a lineup covering over 30 platforms in 15 or so countries,




 2007   2008   2009   2010   2011   2012   2013   2014   2015   2016   2017   2018   2019   2020   2021   2022   Latest 


 


 
Gay News

Internet Porn News

Magazine News

Satellite X News

Sex Aware

Sex Toys News
 

UK P4P News

UK Sex News

UK Sex Shops

US P4P News

US Sex News

World P4P News

World Sex News
 


melonfarmers icon

Home

Top

Index

Links

Search
 

UK

World

Media

Liberty

Info
 

Film Index

Film Cuts

Film Shop

Sex News

Sex Sells
 


Adult Store Reviews

Adult DVD & VoD

Adult Online Stores

New Releases/Offers

Latest Reviews

FAQ: Porn Legality
 

Sex Shops List

Lap Dancing List

Satellite X List

Sex Machines List

John Thomas Toys