Broadcast Bulletins

The Broadcast Bulletin sets out the work of Ofcom's Content and Standards Team who deal with complaints relating to broadcasting on radio and television to ensure adherence to Ofcom's Broadcasting Code and investigate issues of harm and offence, and privacy in broadcasting.

The Broadcast Bulletin reports on the outcome of investigations into alleged breaches of those Ofcom codes with which broadcasters regulated by Ofcom are required to comply. These include:

a) Ofcoms Broadcasting Code (the Code), the most recent version of which took effect on 28 February 2011and covers all programmes broadcast on or after 28 February 2011. The Broadcasting Code can be found at: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code/.

Note: Programmes broadcast prior to 28 February 2011 are covered by the version of the Code that was in force at the date of broadcast.

b) the Code on the Scheduling of Television Advertising (COSTA) which came into effect on 1 September 2008 and contains rules on how much advertising and teleshopping may be scheduled in programmes, how many breaks are allowed and when they may be taken. COSTA can be found at: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/advert-code/.

c) certain sections of the BCAP Code: the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising, which relate to those areas of the BCAP Code for which Ofcom retains regulatory responsibility. These include:

the prohibition on political advertising;
sponsorship (see Rules 9.2 and 9.3 of the Code);
participation TV advertising. This includes long-form advertising predicated on premium rate telephone services most notably chat (including adult chat), psychic readings and dedicated quiz TV (Call TV quiz services). Ofcom is also responsible for regulating gambling, dating and message board material where these are broadcast as advertising ^(-1-); and
the imposition of statutory sanctions in advertising cases.

The BCAP Code can be found at: www.bcap.org.uk/The-Codes/BCAP-Code.aspx

Other codes and requirements may also apply to broadcasters, depending on their circumstances. These include the Code on Television Access Services (which sets out how much subtitling, signing and audio description relevant licensees must provide), the Code on Electronic Programme Guides, the Code on Listed Events, and the Cross Promotion Code. Links to all these codes can be found at: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/

It is Ofcoms policy to describe fully the content in television and radio programmes that is subject to broadcast investigations. Some of the language and descriptions used in Ofcoms Broadcast Bulletin may therefore cause offence.

Footnotes:

1.- BCAP and ASA continue to regulate conventional teleshopping content and spot advertising for these types of services where it is permitted.

In this section

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 199 06/02/12

To the Stage: Eminem, Eyewitness, Advertising minutage, Breach findings table, Complaint by Mr Barry Dungey, Complaint by The Reverend Colin Coward, Complaint by Mr Robert Bennett

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 198 23/01/12

Press TV Limited, Exposure: Gaddafi and the IRA, Provision of recordings, Bluebird Live, Bluebird 40+, Superior Interiors with Kelly Hoppen, Nokia Lumia channel sponsorship of Channel 5, 5* and 5 USA, Sponsorship of Laugh Laugh, The Xtra Factor, The X Factor, The X Factor Results, This Morning, Ricky Gervais: Science, Advertising minutage, Complaint by Mrs Jennifer Johnstone , Complaint by Mrs Yan Polcwiartek, Complaint by Mr Warren Skyers, Complaint by Mr Mark Lyons.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 197 09/01/12

Satellite Entertainment Limited, Advertisement for the Jatiya Party, Sponsorship of Isha Adhaan, Sponsorship of Maghrib Adhaan, Complaint by Mr David Johnson, on his own behalf, on behalf of Mr Gordon Hunter and on behalf of the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service (“ECFRS”), Complaint by Mr Mel Bouzadm, Complaint by Mr John Arthur Jones, Complaint by Mr Denzil Golding and Mrs Chantelle Golding, Complaint by Mr Leonard Harper & Complaint on behalf of The Fat Cat Bistro made by Ms Karen Conway and Mr Michael Neill.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 196 19/12/11

Ummah Talk, Politics and Beyond, Muslimah Dilemma, Torchwood, The Exorcist, Big Brother, ****Babes, Red Light Central, Debate Night, Advertisement for Harvey Water Softeners and Complaint by Ms G

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 195 05/12/11

Press TV Limited, 50 Super Epic TV Moments, Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Sponsorship of Downton Abbey, Strike Back: Project Dawn, Roberto, News, Breach of Licence Condition, Complaint by Ms K, Complaint by Mr Darren Bradley made on his own behalf and on behalf of Bradley and Bradley Limited, Complaint by Mr Robert Knight, Complaint by Mrs Glynis Braithwaite.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 194 21/11/11

Playboy TV UK / Just4Us Limited, Jaguar sponsorship of International Cricket, Mercedes-Benz's Sponsorship of Forth One Travel, Breach findings table, Advertising Scheduling, Complaint by Mr Colin Hawkley, Complaint by Mrs Mary Beghin made on her own behalf and on behalf of Chancellors Debt Recovery Agency and Complaint by Mrs E.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 193 07/11/11

Sponsorship of Hit of the Hour, SCXtra, Advertising scheduling, Breach findings table, Advertising minutage, Resolved findings table, Complaint by European Collar Manufacturers Association and Petsafe Limited

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 192 24/10/11

Babeworld TV Limited, House of Fun Television Limited, Forenzquick UK Limited, Believe TV, Being Erica, OnFM, Rinse FM, Offensive language in radio programming, This Morning, Le Tour de France Live, Sikh Channel Youth Show, Sikh Channel, Adult Channel, Bluebird TV, Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields, ESPN and ESPN Classic, Complaints by Mr Mark Groves, Mr Brendan Mitchell, Mr D, Mr James Rafferty, Mr Thomas Sheridan & Mrs Gail Sheridan.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 191 10/10/11

Al Ehya Digital Television Limited, Aden Live, Pro Bull Riders trailer, Howard Taylor at Breakfast, The Baby Borrowers, Brit Asia TV, B4U Music, 106 Jack FM, Complaint by Mr David Gemmell & Complaint by Dr Saeb Erakat on his own behalf and on behalf of the Palestine Liberation Organisation

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 190 26/09/11

50 Cent Music Videos, 50 Biggest Selling RnB Hits of the Noughties, Storm Afternoons, Ice Road Truckers, Popstar to Operastar competition, Sky News, Complaint by A Share & Sons t/a ScS and Mr Neil Heffernan made on their behalf by Ms Marie Matheson & Complaint by Mr Jeremy Bamber

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 189 12/09/11

Rory’s Reggae Roots, Howard Taylor at Breakfast, School’s Out, Radio 1’s Big Weekend, BBC Introducing in Essex, James Barr, Candy Bar Girls (Trailers), Station Ident, Sponsorship of Khatron Ke Khiladi 4, Sponsorship of Balika Vadhu, The Rundown, Balitang America, Cityscape, Umagang Kay Ganda, Duran Duran: Video Killed the Radio Star, Accidentally on Purpose, America’s Next Top Model, Fifth Gear & more...

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 188 22/08/11

Believe TV, Coverage of the Baishakhi Mela, Wife Swap, Leeds Community Radio, Star Plus, Star Gold, The Africa Channel,Zing, Radio Sandwell, Boundary Sound, Angel Radio Isle of Wight & Complaint by Mr Simon Curtis

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 187 01/08/11

Your Health, Provision of recordings, EastEnders, Advertising minutage, Breach findings table, Resolved findings table, Complaint by Mr Chris Elliott, Complaint by Mr Michael Gibbs

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 186 18/07/11

Office Girls, 40+ Readers Wives, Sport XXX1, Psychic Sally: On the road, Hell's Kitchen USA, Take It or Leave It, Advertising break patterns, Advertising minutage, Breach findings table, Complaint by The London Marathon Limited, Complaint by Mr Paul Gadd, Complaint by Dr Saeed Gul

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 185 04/07/11

Satellite Entertainment Limited, Red Light, Bang Babes, Red Light 2, Xplicit, Red Light 3, 100% Horny, Northern Birds, Asian Babes, Elite Nights, Bluebird Daytime TV, Adult chat advertisement content, Matt Forde, Bahrain Special, Bahrain Revolution, Hourly Urdu News, Criminals Most Wanted, Advertisement for Health Food Center, PS3 sponsorship of Five Movies, SK Vibemaker,FA Cup Final, Complaint by Trust Inheritance & Complaint by Unison.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 184 20/06/11

Saturday Night Special, Tafheem Al Masyal, Cross-promotion for Channel 5 Free Bingo, Psychic TV Teleshopping Feature, Central Tonight, Brick FM, Radio Sandwell, Complaint by Mrs Gwen Weir made on her behalf by Mr Andy Weir & Complaint by Mr Shamus Dewaine

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 183 06/06/11

Cool Stuff Collective, Japan Disaster: Caught on Camera, Fantasy Factory, Channel Report, Complaint by Miss Jo-Anne Taylor on behalf of Ms Deborah Taylor (her daughter)

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 182 23/05/11

Hillsborough Castle Agreement, Red Light Central, Somer Valley FM's Jukebox Hour, Fairness and Privacy cases

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 181 09/05/11

Music Video: Rihanna - "S&M", Various ‘adult’ material, ITV News, Zor ka Zatka sponsorship credits, QI, Chris Evans Breakfast Show, The Real Housewives of Orange County, Advertising minutage, Complaint by Miss B, Complaint by Ms Denise Francis

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 180 20/04/11

Music Video: Flo Rida - "Turn Around (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)", Play, World of PKR, Psychic Interactive, The Business Show, The X Factor Final, The Live Desk, Embarrassing Bodies, Breach findings table, Complaint by Mr Santokh Singh, Complaint sby Mrs P made on her own behalf and that of other family members, and on behalf of Mr F (her son), Mr Richard Skeggs, Mrs Helena Skeggs, Free Gaza Movement made on its behalf by Ms Alex Harrison, Ms Nadia Almada, Mr Andrew Hayman & Mr Philip Parr

Related Items

a) Ofcoms Broadcasting Code (the Code) the most recent version of which took effect on 28 February 2011 and covers all programmes broadcast on or after 28 February 2011. The Broadcasting Code can be found here.

Note: Programmes broadcast prior to 28 February 2011 are covered by the version of the Code that was in force at the date of broadcast.

b) Programmes broadcast prior to 16 December 2009 are covered by the 2005 Code which came into effect on 25 July 2005 (with the exception of Rule 10.17 which came into effect on 1 July 2005) and can be found here.

c) Code on the Scheduling of Television Advertising (“COSTA”) can be found here.

d) Other codes and requirements that may also apply to broadcasters, depending on their circumstances. These include the Code on Television Access Services (which sets out how much subtitling, signing and audio description relevant licensees must provide), the Code on Electronic Programme Guides, the Code on Listed Events, and the Cross Promotion Code, can be found here.