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: http://www.bcap.org.uk/Advertising-Codes/Broadcast-HTML.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 230 20/05/13

Amber Sound FM, Complaint by Mr Mark Thorburn, Complaint by Mrs Janet Neal, Complaint by Mrs Victoria O'Neill

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 229 07/05/13

Phones 4U’s sponsorship of network films on Channel 4, Kobots Federation: Kobots Dual Action Game sponsorship credits, The Daily Show, Cross promotion for Sky Sports, Channel 5 and 5*, ITV1 and ITV2 channels, Bloomberg Television & Complaint by Mr C

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 228 22/04/13

Retention and production of recordings, Cancer: Forbidden Cures, The Alan Titchmarsh Show, Complaint by Mrs Karen Peaston, Complaint by Miss Karen Richardson

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 227 08/04/13

Dick and Dom’s Hoopla!, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!, John Mahon, Live: Gurdwara Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, Bangladesh Nationalist Party item, NTV, Fox Extra, Complaint by Mr Gary Cooper on his own behalf and on behalf of The Leeds United Supporters’ Trust, Complaint by Ms B, Complaint by Miss Hester Bank, Complaint by Mr Gareth Emery, Complaint by Miss Christine Davies

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 226 18/03/13

Chaal Sitaroon Ki, Most Haunted, Pre-recorded interview with Brian Madderson, Trailer for Star Parivaar Live, LFC TV, Breach findings table, Complaint by Mrs Lesley Pilkington, Complaint by Mrs Helen Ellis, Complaint by Mrs Debbie Amour made on behalf of Ms Zoe Lacey, Miss Chantelle Lacey and Miss Danielle Lacey, Complaint by Miss Sarah Hunt made on her own behalf and on behalf of the following members of her immediate family: Mr A Springall and Mrs Jennifer Springall; Mr Christopher Hunt and Mrs Vanessa Hunt; Mr Jayson Hunt, Miss Lianne Hunt and Miss Amy Norwood and Complaint by Mr A

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 225 04/03/13

Miss Arab London 2011, Northern Birds, Essex Babes, Sportxxx Girls, and Livexxx Babes, Sikh Channel Report, WWE Superstars, Ice Road Truckers, Russ Williams, Viewer competition, Shastho Protidin, ARY QTV, RT, 2 Complaint by Miss Zoe Alexander, Complaint by Mr Glenn Smith, Complaint by Mr Shaun Tudor

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 224 18/02/13

Psychic Today, Big Deal, Fitness TV, Sumo TV, Studio 66 TV4, I Focus, Channel i, Deadly Deals, Vox Africa, Download Festival, Sky Arts1, The Charity Show (Save Maryam charity appeal), Ramadan TV, Anglia Mowers’ sponsorship of Weather, North Norfolk Radio, Live Formula One: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Extreme Sports, Complaint by Mr Gary Radford (Police Interceptors), Complaint by Dr Arasaratnam Arasilango (UK Border Force)

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 223 04/02/13

Sponsorship of Half Built House by Rated People.com, Sponsorship of 5* Access and Inside Hollywood by MakeaMatch.co.uk, Sponsorship of Classic Car Rescue by Adrian Flux Insurance, Sponsorship of Classic Car Rescue by Adrian Flux Insurance, Sponsorship of Let Us Talk About Hinduism by Charantia Karela Capsules, Sponsorship of Let Us Talk About Hinduism by Charantia Karela Capsules, Sponsorship of Fresh Hits by Payment Protection Refunds, Sponsorship of Badi Picture by Himalaya Carpets, Sponsorship of Satyamev Jayate by Claim Today Solicitors, Sponsorship of Penalty by SilverKart, DM Digital, The Valleys (Trailer), Fresh Hits, Senna, Elite Nights, Studio 66 Nights, Lorraine, Lorraine, Tabl canfyddiadau torri rheol

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 222 21/01/13

Arab Dream, Strictly Broadband Limited, Playboy TV/Benelux Limited, Programme about the attack on Lieutenant-General Brar, Global Khatm-E-Nabuwat Movement, Khatm-E-Nabuwat, Advertisement by Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Celebrity Juice (Trailer), Studio B with Shepard Smith, The X Factor, Sur Kshetra, Provision of recordings, Trace Sports, Attheraces, Dune FM

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 221 07/01/13

X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Leeds TV, The Breakfast Show, Advertisement by UK Jubo League, Showbiz India, “Sex Season” (Trailer)

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 220 17/12/12

Line of Duty, Paigham-e-Mustafa, Rock All Stars, Islam Channel News, Islam Channel News, The X Factor, Voice of Africa Radio, Erewash Sound, Felixstowe Radio, The Super Station Orkney, Seaside FM, Ambur Radio, Phoenix FM, Complaint by Complaint by the Central Electoral Commission of Latvia and Complaint by Dr Usama Hasan

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 219 03/12/12

Sister Ruby Ramadan Special, Asian Sound Radio, American Dad, GirlGirl, Big Wednesday with Shawn, Borkotmoy Sehri, Sahara One, Vox Africa

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 218 19/11/12

E Entertainment UK Limited, Sunrise TV Limited, POAF Complaints Cell, Understanding the Qur’an, DM News Review, Dare to Ask, Dial Dr Zakir, Storm Night, The Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, Styled to Rock, Big Brother, Big Brother’s Bit on the Side

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 217 05/11/12

Love Shaft, The Only Way is Essex, News, Channel 4 Racing: The Morning Line, Sri Lanka’s Killing Fields: War Crimes Unpunished

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 216 22/10/12

Aden Live, The Buzz, Thousand Pound Thursday competition, Sunday Brunch, The Hotel Inspector, Programming, Provision of recording, The Wright Stuff, Got to Dance, Prometheus promotion, Breach of licence condition, various Fairness and Privacy cases

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 215 08/10/12

Chat Box, Bombardier’s sponsorship of Primetime, Currys’ and PC World’s sponsorship of Ian Wright’s Rock N Roll Football, Advertising minutage, Complaint by Mrs Sandra Geddes

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 214 24/09/12

REN TV Baltic & Mir Baltic, Discovery, Kiss 100, various Fairness and Privacy Cases

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 213 10/09/12

Northsound 1, Northsound 2, Original 106, Russia Today, Praise TV, B4U Music, Storm (Channel 966), Northsound 1, Heart FM Network, CNBC, Channel 5, CFM (Carlisle), Sony Entertainment Television (UK), Dune FM (Southport) and various Fairness and Privacy Cases

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 212 28/08/12

Praise TV, Good Morning Psychic, Psychic World TV, Calendar News, Complaint by Mrs D made on behalf of her daughter (a minor), Complaint by Ms E

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 211 13/08/12

Sikh Channel Youth Show, Homeland, UMP Movies, Horse and Country, Bay Radio (now Nation 80s), Tor-Amod

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.

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).

c) Code on the Scheduling of Television Advertising (“COSTA”).

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.