Playboy TV fined for unrestricted ‘On Demand’ content
Ofcom has issued a financial penalty of £100,000 to Playboy TV after its ‘on demand’ service allowed sexually explicit material to be available without restrictions.
The network, operated by Benelux Limited, provides ‘on demand’ services through its websites, Playboy TV and Demand Adult. During a period spanning from the end of May to July 24th last year users of both websites could access sexually explicit R18 equivalent material, without a system in place that would effectively restrict those under 18 from accessing it.
The Authority for Television On Demand, a division of Ofcom, has found the broadcaster to be in breach of its Rule 11 code of conduct.
“If and on-demand programme service contains material which might seriously impair the physical, mental or moral development of persons under the age of eighteen, the material must be made available in a manner which secures that such persons will not normally see or hear it.” – Rule 11.
The regulator’s guidance to Rule 11 explains the type of restrictions that a provider should put in place around R18 content to ensure that minors cannot usually access it. As Demand Adult and Playboy TV were not in compliance with Rule 11 during the period in question,
The Authority for Television On Demand referred both cases to the higher powers at Ofcom for consideration of a sanction on in August last year.
“Ofcom sought evidence as to the breaches and considered the gravity and duration of the breaches, and their potential impact on minors and decided that the breaches were serious, repeated and reckless and therefore a financial penalty should be imposed. The financial penalty is payable to HM Paymaster General.” The television regulator state.
The Authority for Television On Demand is overall responsible for regulating the editorial content of certain on-demand programmes services like Demand Adult and Playboy TV concurrently with Ofcom.
The £100,000 fine was split between Demand Adult, which faces a bill of £65,000 while Playboy TV is to pay £35,000.
“Drat, I missed the free show,” says showbiz reporter for ATV Today, Queenie.