[James]

12.15pm
Channel 4 ends live Big Brother final


Leigh Holmwood
Monday November 27, 2006
MediaGuardian.co.uk

The Big Brother final will no longer be broadcast live after a flood of pre-watershed swearing.

Future finals of Big Brother will be broadcast with a time delay after this year's show was found to have breached Ofcom's code after contestants swore.

Channel 4 usually airs live streaming from the Big Brother house with a 15-minute delay in order to cover up swearing, but traditionally airs the final live so viewers can see how the voting is going in real time.

However, Ofcom today ruled that this year's final in August had breached its code after two contestants swore before the watershed.

In response, Channel 4 said that following a "serious review of procedures" it had decided that the pre-watershed part of next year's final would be broadcast with a five-minute delay in order to "enable the most offensive language to be edited out."

During this year's final, housemate Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace was heard to tell fellow contestant Nikki Grahame "you're ****ing fantastic" and "you're ****ing beautiful", 15 minutes before the 9pm watershed while Nikki herself said "I'm ****ing ******** it".

Two viewers complained that the language was unacceptable before the watershed.

Ofcom said it was "surprising" that Channel 4 had decided to broadcast the final without a delay, while the regulator also said it was "concerned" that bad language was broadcast three times without any of the production team apparently noticing.

Channel 4 apologised unreservedly for any offence caused, but said it had previously had an "extremely good" compliance record in relation to Big Brother live streaming.

The channel said that when it was realised what had been said an apology was also made on air.

Meanwhile, three complaints about swearing on the live streaming of Big Brother on E4 in July were resolved.

Housemate Jayne Kitt was heard to refer to herself as a "*******" in a conversation with Nikki and later used the word "*******" at 1.16pm on July 11.

Three viewers complained that the language was unacceptable before the watershed.

Channel 4 said the "unprecedented situation" had occurred during the change-over of editors responsible for compliance as well as new sophisticated microphones being able to pick up more sound than previously.

It said that as soon as it had become apparent that the language had been broadcast an investigation was launched and that all Jayne's conversations were masked with birdsong.

Following the investigation, a new technical system was installed and a team of dedicated "output monitors" was appointed.

Ofcom said that in the light of the new processes put in place the matter had been resolved.

http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/sto...=ticker-103704

[Mike]

It was only a matter of time before they did something like this unfortunately, really annoys me that some people waste their time complaining about the show, have they really not got anything better to do.

[MarkWaldorf]

^^^Exactly, I mean its a waste of time. Its on at 9pm - 11pm anyway, if they dont want their kids hearing it, put them to bed.

[LizzyDizzy]

they ruin it for the rest of us..

[Chrizzle]

Aww nooo! Thats stupid.

REAL BB fans wouldnt complain!
If they are that bothered- why are they watching it?
Its stupid

[BigSister]

what im thinking off is people could know the result 15 minutes in front through other sites etc it just stupid for people who dont have internet

[Arneldo]

Well wasn't the second part of this years CBB4 Final and BB7 Final in a time delay? You probably wont even notice it.

Can't C4 just move the final and start it at a later time?

Edit: Just found out that C4 cant move it to a later time because the crowd have to off the premises by 11pm because of the noise made by them.

[James]

I thought it was already delayed. I went to the BB4 final and I distinctly remember that we were able to text people the results before they got them on TV.

[andybigbro]

before i read the article and just the topic titile i was annoyed but whats five minutes going to do you wont even relise it

[x-heather-x]

Whats the point in complaining? I mean really who is listening to them apart from the silly people at Ofcom?

And if they dont make them live then thats the show spoiled!

[xGemmax]

Thats pathetic, who cares about a few silly swear words, children swear more than adults anyway these days, and if the parents don't like it then don't let them watch it simple as that. Some people must have nothing better to do than to complain about pointless things and ruin everything

[cc100]

It doesent make any difference to viewers, so dont worry.

[andybigbro]

Originally posted by cc100
It doesent make any difference to viewers, so dont worry.

Me Agree

[Legend]

It won't make any difference, i always thought the finals were delayed by about 5 minutes anyway.

Also, i do think those who complain are slightly sad but i suppose if they do have younger kids and they heard 'Łuck' and '$hit' then there kids can pick it up so it's only fair really and as it is before 9PM then they shouldn't have to send their kids to bed so yeah, you can't really moan about the people doing the complaining as their could be a reason behind it like i said.

If it's people who just complain for the sake of it because 'they can' then yeah, they're sad people who need a slap.

[Lauren]

It's delayed 5 mins and I never notice that delay, so an extra 5 mins won't make any difference to me.