Playboy TV has been fined £25,000 by media regulator Ofcom after broadcasting R18-rated material.

Current regulations do not allow R18-rated materials to be broadcast. R18 films may only be shown in specially licensed cinemas, and may only be obtained on video at licensed sex shops.

Ofcom's content sanctions committee said that Playboy broadcast an R18 film on May 1, 2004 just after midnight. Playboy admitted that the broadcast took place and acknowledged that the resulting breaches of Ofcom's Programme Code were "serious." The TV channel blamed "human error," and asked the regulator to note that because the transmission was after midnight and was only accessible by typing in a PIN, there would have been "minimal harm or offence caused."

The regulator, despite acknowledging Playboy's proactive attitude and apology, said that it decided to levy the fine both for the R18 transmission and because Playboy had transmitted 18-rated material before the watershed and unencrypted on several occasions around that time.

Members of the Digital Spy forums expressed reservations both about Ofcom's decision to levy the fine and about the laws behind the decision. One forum member described the situation as being "utterly ridiculous," while another called the £25,000 fine "an over-reaction." Another added that Ofcom is "out of touch." Head over to the forums and join the conversation!