Watershed (television)
From Academic Kids
Watershed is a term used in the United Kingdom (as well as Canada) to describe a time in television schedules beyond which it is permissible to show a television programmes which have 'adult content'. It is known in the US as "Safe Harbor". Adult content is generally defined as having nudity, explicit sexual intercourse, violence, strong language, etc.
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Watershed Times
United Kingdom and Ireland
According to Ofcom, the watershed on standard television starts at 9:00pm, and finishes at 5:30am the next morning. On premium film or pay-per-view services requiring a subscription, the watershed starts at 8:00pm.
There should be a gentle transition to adult material, and 18-rated material is not allowed to be shown before 10:00pm.
See also: The Ofcom Broadcastng Code - Section 1 (http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/codes/bcode/protectingu18/)
Canada
The watershed starts at 9:00pm, and finishes at 6:00am the next morning. Sexually explicit content, offensive or strong language and other adult material is not allowed outside the watershed.
See also: Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (http://www.cbsc.ca/english/faqs/standards.htm#7)
United States
The watershed (or "Safe Harbor") begins at 10:00pm and finishes at 6:00am the next morning, though some content (explicit sexual intercourse, for example) is never allowed except on certain restricted-access networks.
External link
- The Ofcom Broadcasting Code - Section 1 (http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/ifi/codes/bcode/protectingu18/)
- Canadian Broadcast Standards Council - What is the Watershed? (http://www.cbsc.ca/english/faqs/standards.htm#7)
