Ofcom is to meet with all licensees that broadcast adult content after the regulator revoked the licences of four channels in the sector.
The revocation of licences held by Bang Channels Limited and Bang Media (London) Limited followed serious and repeated breaches of the Broadcasting Code. Tease Me; Tease Me TV and Tease Me 2 and 3 were all broadcast free-to-air and featured female presenters that encouraged viewers to call premium phone lines. Such channels are not permitted to promote adult chat services during the day and programming must be suited to a pre-watershed audience.
Tease Me, Tease Me 2 and Tease Me 3 were all receivable via Sky, while Tease Me TV was available on DTT.
The channels had also broadcast content so strong that it would be considered equivalent to BBFC R18 rated material. Such material is not permitted on British TV – either free-to-air or under encryption.
“We want to be very clear that Ofcom are required by Parliament to protect audiences through the Broadcasting Code. We simply will not tolerate serious and repeated breaches of the Code and have therefore decided to revoke these licences,” said Chris Banatvala, Ofcom’s director of standards.
In July 2010 Ofcom fined the two companies a total of £157,250 for serious breaches of the Broadcasting Code and other licence conditions.
