Channel 5 has come under criticism from the Broadcasting Standards Commission for its porn movie review show, X Certificate. The BSC upheld complaints from six viewers, who were concerned about the inclusion of pornographic material in the programme.
In its defence, Channel 5 described the programme as a “light-hearted entertainment review show focusing on the adult entertainment industry.” It said the late broadcast of the show and the adult classifications on material shown made it suitable for broadcast, although it admitted that a clip from an R18 video during one episode.
The BSC accepted the late programming of the programme but said that the “the series was consistent with a continuing process by Channel 5 of seeking to extend the boundaries of acceptability with regard to the depiction of sex on free to air television.” It said that since R18 videos are only available in licensed sex shops the series was effectively promoting products that cannot be advertised on television and went beyond acceptable boundaries for a free to air terrestrial service.
Broadcasting Standards Commission: 020 7233 0544
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