[Omah]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

LOL how ridiculous.

They would have a (still quite pathetic) point if it was 11 secs BEFORE the watershed...but it wasnt

They probably WOULDN'T have a point if it was 10 MINUTES AFTER the watershed:

OFCOM say :

Rule 1.4 Watershed (including trails)
The ‘watershed’ is a well understood concept and audiences are concerned if they believe programme content is ‘pushing the boundaries’ of what is generally accepted close to the watershed. Audience research shows strong support and recognition for the watershed on all television channels. The watershed plays a crucial role for parents and carers with children aged 5 to 8 and trust in pre-watershed programming is essential, particularly leading up to 1930. It is also important that the content of pre watershed trails is appropriate for the time of broadcast. Although the watershed is a useful tool for regulating viewing amongst older children, it is one of many factors taken into account when regulating their viewing. Some programmes scheduled to start before the watershed and finishing after 2100 may be of special appeal to children, especially during school holidays. Depending on the channel and audience it attracts, viewers can be concerned at strong, adult material immediately after the watershed when a significant number of children could still be watching television.

Rule 1.7 Information
Even with appropriate scheduling, some additional information about pre-watershed and post - watershed programmes may be necessary. Where appropriate, viewers appreciate information about content that may be problematic for certain ages – particularly if a programme appeals to a wide-ranging audience.

BBC say:

Television Scheduling and the Watershed
5.4.6

Television scheduling decisions need to balance the protection of young people and particularly children with the rights of all viewers, including those without children, to receive a full range of subject matter throughout the day. They must also be judged against the requirements of the watershed.

The 9pm television watershed is used by broadcasters to distinguish between programmes intended mainly for a general audience and those programmes intended for an adult audience. However, parents and carers share in the responsibility for assessing whether programme content is suitable for their children, based on their expectations of that content.

The 9pm watershed signals the beginning of the transition to more adult material, but the change should not be abrupt. Programme makers and schedulers should also take into account the nature of the channel and viewer expectations. The strongest material should appear later in the schedule. If sudden changes of tone are unavoidable they should be clearly signposted, for example by giving clear information about scenes of a sexual nature, violence or the use of strong language.

5.4.7

Programmes broadcast between 5.30am and 9pm must be suitable for a general audience including children. The earlier in the evening a programme is placed, the more suitable it should be for children to watch without an older person. Programmes in later pre-watershed slots may not be suitable for the youngest children or for children to watch without an older person.

Only in exceptional circumstances can there be any departure from this practice, and then clear content information should be given. Exceptions may include, but are not limited to, images that some children might find distressing in natural history programmes or items in pre-watershed news bulletins. Any proposed exceptions must be referred to a senior editorial figure or, for independents, to the commissioning editor.

5.4.8

Programmes that straddle the watershed, that is start before 9pm and finish sometime after 9pm, should normally be pre-watershed compliant throughout.

C4 say :

ii) Strong Language
The most offensive language i.e. the words ‘****' and ‘****' and their derivatives (e.g. ‘****ing' and ‘mother****'), cannot be used before the 9pm watershed as this would breach the Ofcom Code and must be removed or obscured by bleeping or dipping. This includes the words in written form (including subtitles) and gestures. Any proposed use of the word ‘****' or any of its derivatives after the watershed should be referred up by the commissioning editor to the relevant editorial head for approval in writing before transmission and arrangements for an on-air warning must be made. A ‘swear form' (commonly referred to as a ‘**** form') must be completed, copied to the programme lawyer where appropriate. Because of its greater potential to offend, any proposed use of the word ‘****' post-watershed should be referred up by the commissioning editor to the Head of Channel 4 or relevant channel and/or Controller of Legal & Compliance, copied to the editorial head, for approval in writing before transmission, following advice from the particular programme lawyer.

Remember: these words and their derivatives must never be broadcast before 9pm in any form.

Note: If the word ‘****' is to be included within a programme, the warning must refer to "very strong language", rather than merely "strong language".

C5 themselves say :

4A Protecting Under 18s and Harm and Offence : Key Points
Under 18s must be protected from potentially harmful and offensive material. One of the main ways of achieving this is through the appropriate scheduling of programmes.
The watershed is 9 pm. Nothing unsuitable for children should, in general, be shown before 9pm or after 5.30 am. After 9 pm, there should then be a gradual transition to more adult material, not an abrupt change. Generally, the more adult in nature a programme is, the later in the schedule it should appear.
Potentially harmful or offensive material includes strong language, violence, sexual behaviour etc.. Its inclusion must be justified editorially and by the context i.e. taking into consideration the editorial content of the programme, its scheduling, the audience's likely expectations, any warning that has been given etc..
Audience expectation is key. Viewers should be clearly forewarned of any potentially harmful or offensive material so they can make their own informed choices about what they and their children watch. This usually requires clear on-air pre-transmission warnings.

So what makes C5 special enough to ignore the guidelines and break the rules ?