Ofcom issues warning to adult channels

Ofcom has issued a warning to adult television channels about their explicit content and use of premium rate phone services.

The regulator is considering new regulations and may take action against the channels if it discovers further breaches of its programme code.

Ofcom said that despite previous warnings it still has concerns about "the degree of sexual content broadcast" after the 9pm watershed, particularly with channels that are not subscription-only or protected by PIN codes.

There are also "continued problems relating to the promotion, within programmes, of premium rate services that appear to contribute neither to the editorial of the programme nor meet the definition of programme-related material".

Ofcom may require that all adult channels have to be protected by a PIN.

It added that "due to the serious nature of the Code and Licence breaches" it considered referring channels to its Content Sanctions Committee for possible punishment.

Ofcom explained that it has not done so because there has recently been "less or no very crude or explicit language or visual content" after the watershed.

The regulator cited specific breaches by Get Lucky TV, Star Bazaar, Lucky Star, LivexxxBabes and Show Off UK as the reasons for its more generally-aimed warning.

In the case of Get Lucky TV, Ofcom ruled its programming in breach of the programme code because invitations to phone and chat to "off-screen presenters" did not "contribute to the programme". It added that mentions for a service that provided photos of the presenters were "unduly prominent".

StarBazaar was criticised for broadcasting "explicit sexual content" without PIN protection, incorrect use of premium rate services and a poor broadcasting quality.