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 91 - 20|08|07

Mike Mendoza, Football First, Britain’s Got Talent, Nach Baliye 2, Voice of Africa Radio (Radio Licensable Content Service), Sky News, Complaint by Mrs Anwar Begum & Complaint by Mr Gary Hall.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 90 - 30|07|07

Bang Babes, Harry Hill’s TV Burp, Advertisement for The Spectator, Babecast, Night Owls, Complaint by Mr Makhtoor Hussain & Complaint by Ms T on behalf of herself and her son H.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 89 - 16|07|07

BBC,The Green Guide to Life, The Last Casino, Build a New Life in the Country, Blood on the Carpet, Police Patrol: Uncut, Complaint by Mischon de Reya Solicitors on behalf of Foxtons Limited, Complaint by Howells Solicitors on behalf of Mr Andrew Jones, Complaints by Mrs Tahira Hussain, Mr Marvin Munday and Mrs Nicola Munday, National Car Parks, Mr Stephen Filer (own behalf) and behalf of Mrs Markina Filer, Mrs Kathleen Filer & Mrs Julie Stephenson and Mr Robert Stephenson.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 88 - 02|07|07

Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd (“Channel 5”), Cops on Camera & Complaint by Mrs Josephine Hill on behalf of herself and the Clough and Risegate Residents’ Association.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 87 - 18|06|07

Gamer TV, News bulletins, Equal opportunities, Pokerstars, Scotland Today, Heart Breakfast with Sam and Amy, Shipwrecked, Complaint by Mrs Jean Smith & Complaint by Paula Bates on behalf of Toucan Telemarketing Ltd.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 86 - 04|06|07

Channel Four Television Corporation (“Channel Four”) and Sianel Pedwar Cymru (“S4C”), Prison Break, The Wheel of Love, Advertisement for City and County of Swansea, The Brits, Big Love trailer, Complaint by Mr A on his own behalf and on behalf of family members & Complaint by Mr Michael Purdon (Solicitor) on behalf of Mr Allan Grimson.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 85 - 21|05|07

Naughty Nurse, World in Focus and R Mornings, Insider, Y Byd ar Bedwar, Y Byd ar Bedwar, Radio XL, Graham and Louise Breakfast Show – Quiz of the Week, Star Reports and Music To Make You Feel Good, Meridian Tonight, Promotion of Sky Movies magazine, Top Gear, The Charlotte Church Show & Complaint by Mr Roger Croston on behalf of Dr Bruno Beger.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 84 - 08|05|07

Statement on Star Date TV broadcasting as Babestar+ on Sky channel 960, The X Factor and The Xtra Factor, Real Talk, News bulletins, Coverage of the Execution of Saddam Hussein, News bulletins, Complaints by Ms Sheri Atherton, Pannone & Partners on behalf of Bank House Day Nursery, Complaints by Mrs Elizabeth Dalziel, Ms Rubina Khan, Mrs Kathleen Moorhead, Ms Sue Scott, Mrs Patricia Delaney, Mrs Carole Thewlis & Complaint by Mr Terence and Mrs Jacqueline Cox.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 83 - 23|04|07

Emmerdale, Hellbound: Hellraiser II, Blue Peter, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, When Football Managers Go Mad, Complaint by Ms Jessica Rees, Complaint by Mr Timothy Cowen & O’Keeffe Solicitors on behalf of Mr Faryardi Sarwar Zardad.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 82 - 10|04|07

Notice of Revocation Gamecast UK Ltd service You TV2, Bangla TV, Complaint by North Ayrshire Council on its own behalf and on behalf of Councillor Peter McNamara and Complaint by The Swan Sanctuary.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 81 - 26|03|07

Word Association, Quiz Call, The Extreme Truth, Channel 9 (Restricted Television Service Licence), After You’ve Gone, Mrs G and her daughter (a minor) and Mr Chris Garner trading as Vanity London (sole proprietor).

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 80 - 12|03|07

The Slammer, Scotland Today, Who Do You Think You Are?, The War at Home, The Beatles’ Biggest Secrets, Discovery Channel trailer, Coronation Street, Complaint by Mr Paul Cordy, Complaint by Mr Graham Lloyd on behalf of the Governing Body of The Holly Hall School & Complaint on behalf of Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 79 - 26|02|07

ITV News, Kev Seed Breakfast Show, Cricket AM, Dohri, Jonathan Ross, Club Cupid Trailer, Complaint by Newspin PR Limited on behalf of UP Trips Limited, Complaint by Nottingham City Council, Complaint by Mr John Glester, Complaint by Mrs Irene Milson on behalf of the WDC Tenants and Residents Association

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 78 - 12|02|07

Perfect Match, Geo News, Carnival FM (Restricted Service Licence), Quiz Call, Property Developing Abroad, Complaint by Mrs Taryn Sherwood & Complaint by Mr Brian Allan.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 77 - 29|01|07

Fizz Music, Anna Raeburn, Top 20 Freaks of Pop, Married in the Morning, Bean: The Movie, A Girl’s Guide to 21st Century Sex & Complaint by Ms V on behalf of her daughter (a Minor).

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 76 - 15|01|07

Quizmania, ECW Wrestling, Milkshake sponsored by Disney DVDs, Cash Call, Britain’s Fattest Teenager, Complaint by Mr Paul Hellawell on behalf of UK Juicers Ltd, Complaint by Mr Bhaarat Pattni & Complaint by Professor Michael Keith.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 75 - 11|12|06

Digital Television Production Company Limited, Duisg and news, Hell’s Kitchen USA, Poker Face, Complaint by Mrs Susan Holland and Mr Marc Asquith, Cŵyn gan Mrs Susan Holland a Mr Marc Asquith & Complaint by Mr Andreas Tambourides.

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 74 - 27|11|06

Sanction on Television Concepts Limited, The Morning Brief, Big Brother 7, MTV Dance, Road Rage School, World Cuppa, The 60s: The Beatles Decasde, The Baby Mind Reader, Complaints by Mr Michael Gore, Aloma Henriquez, Marisol Ayala, Adriana Vigilanza, Fiorella Morales

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 73 - 13|11|06

4Homes Magazine, Cops Uncut 2, The Mint, Complaint by Mr William Coulson, Complaint by Mr Charles Ejogo on his own behalf and on behalf of his company Umbrolly Limited & Complaint by Mr Martin Thomas

Broadcast Bulletin Issue number 72 - 30|10|06

Meridian Tonight, Pepsi Max World Challenge, Number Up, Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, Complaint by MacKenzie & Co (Solicitors) on behalf of Dr Gurdeep Singh, Complaint by Mr Kulvinder Singh, Complaint by Mr Sukhwinder Singh, Complaint by Ms P, Complaint by Mr Christopher Holdcroft & Mr Omid Omidi Mazaheri.

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.