Ofcom Discussion

(21-07-2011 23:37 )eccles Wrote:  Does anyone think babe channels should be opt in? Meaning they should be pin protected or hidden in brand new boxes, but can be unprotected as a block or unhidden?

I refer you to my last post. It won't make a scrap of difference while Ofcom are in control.

In my opinion it would be better for ALL freeview set top box makers to be forced to implement a new system.

The system should be when new boxes are turned on for the first time the first thing it does is ask you to set up an adult pin, this pin should only be able to be changed by person who set pin up. Then when the channels are first accessed in any given day its asks for this pin once that night.

Eventually old boxes would be replaced or brake then as people get new equipment they can not stumble upon these channels by accident.

I really can't understand why something like that was not done from that start. The current bookend system is a waste of time IMO.

You posted after I started writing and before I hit submit.

Agree with the sentiment though, its almost as if they want the channels to cause offence.

Ofcom might not give a flying jizz, but Id like to be a fly on the wall when they have to explain to The Daily Mail and Keith Vaz that low cost easy solutions were suggested and they turned them down flat.

Would have been a better way of going about it, the only other way to do it is to MHEG protect the channels like xtreame is and give the codes out for free but some boxes dont support the xtreme MHEG app so then some people may not see the channels.

So I really think the first suggestion posted is the right way of going about it certainly not those bookends anyway.

Its not exactly a book anyway so I wonder why ofcom called them bookends surley there channel ends.

(21-07-2011 23:37 )eccles Wrote:  Talking of which, time and again Ofcom argues that people can see the channels by accident, and some parents dont know the channels exist so they cant exercise parental control.

Does anyone think babe channels should be opt in? Meaning they should be pin protected or hidden in brand new boxes, but can be unprotected as a block or unhidden?

I think we are snookered (err sorry snookered! if youre watching) Despite alot of attacks on Ofcom's arguments in this section, the lax/luddite parent point is strong enough. 11 year old boys will want to see the channels. I cant see Ofcom going away.

But I've suggested elsewhere, an opt in system (one off pin, whatever) would cut punter numbers finding (and developing a taste for) the babechannels in the first place (by channel hopping). I think limiting that would hurt revenues for the channels more than the extra regulations will do.

I think these two points are actually logically connected. The channels need to be easily accessible to survive, but its because they are easily accessible that Ofcom/government feel the need to regulate. Its a bit of a catch 22.

Ofcom gives evidence to the Daily Mail Select Committee

(22-07-2011 00:21 )eccles Wrote:  Ofcom might not give a flying jizz, but Id like to be a fly on the wall when they have to explain to The Daily Mail and Keith Vaz that low cost easy solutions were suggested and they turned them down flat.

The whole context argument misses the point. 15 year old boys are thick. we know that. Its a proven psychological fact that their brains are in flux and they cannot read other people emotions properly. The idea that they can recognise let alone understand a subtle literary context would have an English teacher wetting themselves with laughter.

That just leaves adults, who can read the EPG and use the Off button.

Before i begin.. i have started a new thread because it's a slightly different Ofcom topic where i didn't want it lost in any of the other threads. Hope that's okay.


Right.. with all the comments on this forum about other TV channels "getting away" with showing sexual content of varying natures etc and members' moaning about these channels not getting brought to account whilst our babe channels don't, may i suggest something..?

Can a complaint not be submitted to Ofcom against these other channels, when we are aware of them, by us - the viewers of the babe channels?

Then, we can specifically state that we are disgusted, that we/our children were specifically not watching channels in the adult EPG and saw such material etc etc or for any such valid other reason we can think of.

Furthermore, we can, even should, state that we do watch the babe channels and are happy to see such material in this respect as we are choosing to watch it, whereas watching on non adult channels, we are not.

Then, not only have we brought about a serious complaint which we stress to Ofcom they must investigate, and apply the same draconian rules they currently do in respect of the babe channels, but we are always stressing that we want such material to be available when, and if we choose, to watch it.

Therefore, we are indirectly getting our point across to Ofcom in a way they cannot refuse to listen to. Rather than the head on approach that we all know gets us nowhere. The producers could, and bloody should, also get involved in this.

You may think i'm jesting, but i'm not, it's a serious suggestion.

I think thats a great idea you're the first person who has come up with an idea like it. I agree with you though, all i keep seeing on this forum is people moaning and groaning, i think it's about time we made this happen. I'm up for it, and if you want someone to tag along with you just let me no the more the merrier, we need to do something and the time is now.

I also think it's a great idea. The biggest problem though, is trying to find producers with a backbone because they all seem happy with getting shafted by Ofcom due to the fact they don't seem to be doing fuck all about it. I mean, all the producers need to do (in my opinion) is put the rivalry aside and take Ofcom on together because if the big 4 companies took on Ofcom together, then I genuinely beleive that they would then be able to do shows that we all want to see and they would probably double their annual revenue. So it would become a win win situation, we get to see stronger material and the channels would make even more money.