Television Content Rating Systems - United Kingdom

United Kingdom

For details on the video and DVD classification system in the UK, see British Board of Film Classification.

In the United Kingdom The television regulator, Ofcom, sets clear boundaries for what can be shown and when. The most obvious example of this is in the watershed, the time after which more explicit content (15, 18) can be shown. On main broadcast television channels this is 9pm, however on certain satellite channels it is 8pm. Therefore a system which is mandatory on all networks is not necessary.

However, in addition to the Ofcom requirements, some channels use systems of their own:

• BBC One and ITV have implemented verbal announcements before programs indicating the nature of the content about to be shown, although they show comparatively little explicit material when compared to BBC Two, Channel 4, Channel 5, and the other channels available for no extra charge on Freeview, all of which now make similar warnings. In theory any program may be shown immediately after the 9pm watershed, however, the schedulers tend to employ a 'sliding scale' attitude to the content; it is therefore down to the personal discretion of each scheduler as to what is shown and when. In addition to the watershed rules there is lee-way offered at anytime of the day dependent upon the educational reasons for showing an item; for example the unedited birth of a child or explicit sexual health advice, if required by the programme's context.
• In addition to the above, Channel 4 occasionally has extra announcements before a program resumes from a commercial break, if the content in a certain segment is viewed to be likely to cause offence. (i.e. if the program crosses the watershed or during an educational program such as Embarrassing Bodies or The Sex Education Show scheduled before the watershed). Examples include the usage of the word "cunt" on Big Brother and a standard "don't try this at home" disclaimer before and during Jackass. See also red triangle.
• Channel 5 formerly used a movie rating system, almost entirely based on the BBFC movie classification systems, used for films only:
  • Universal rating: The film is appropriate for all ages and may even be suitable for family viewing.
  • Guidance rating: Can contain some mild violence, language or brief nudity. Some scenes may be unsuitable for young children.
  • Caution rating: Can contain strong violence, swearing, sex, explicit material or disturbing scenes. For adults only.
• Sky Movies shows a screen displaying a rating of a film before it is broadcast. The ratings are based on the BBFC ratings and a verbal announcement such as "Sky has rated the following film as 12" is given. Explicit content (15, 18-rated) may be shown before the watershed because the channels are PIN protected on digital satellite and cable.
• The BBC and ITV also warn viewers of potentially offensive content by marking it as a Guidance rated programme. Reasons for the rating being assigned to the programme varies. These warnings are widely used on on-demand platforms. An example warning: GUIDANCE: Contains some strong language and sexual content
• It is often noticeable that Channel 4 are more likely to either cut out parts without notifying the audience or notify them of the content before the program is to come on. Such examples that are edited for daytime viewing are repeats of many popular shows such as; Big Brother, Friends, Will and Grace, and Desperate Housewives. One such scene in Desperate Housewives episode "Now You Know" was deemed too racially offensive to air even in the 10pm timeslot, but this scene was also cut on a global scale after its initial airing in the USA caused so many problems. It is now thought that Channel 4 are a lot more sensitive with the controversial shows, since the controversy that was given out on a global scale with the Celebrity Big Brother racism controversy in 2007.