United Kingdom

[GB] 'Adult' Satellite Television Channel Receives a Formal Warning from the ITC

IRIS 1995-10:1/17

David Goldberg

deeJgee Research/Consultancy

The Independent Television Commission decided on 19 October to intervene again as regards the programming of Television X - The Fantasy Channel. From June 1995, the ITC had offered guidance to the channel in respect of the nature of its proposed service. This was felt likely to be in breach of the ITC's Programme Code.

The specific problem which occasioned the formal warning was the transmission of the film Requiem for a Vampire , at 02.30h. Television X showed the film including the approximately six minutes that the British Board of Film Classification had cut prior to their certificating the video as an '18'. The Programme Code contains an absolute rule that no film may be shown at any time which would be a version refused a classification by the BBFC. Otherwise, the Code prescribes that a judgement needs to be exercised as to the suitability of the material for transmission.

The formal warning informs Television X that the ITC may consider sanctions in the event that the Code is breached again. Possible sanctions include (a) up to L 50.000 fine per offence, (b) a shortening of the term of the licence held by the company or (c) revocation of the licence.