egafd.com

OK I've found the report now and read it. Thanks.

To get one thing straight, Ofcom are not actually proposing to get rid of the 900 channels.

They list 3 possible changes to their operation, but the most likely one is that the channels will have to become encrypted.

As far as I can see, if they become encrypted they can carry on as they are, but obviously callers would have to register first in order to receive the service.

I can see these channels might want to cooperate with each other, so that if you register with one channel you can get access to them all.

Otherwise you would have to register with the 4 or 5 companies involved. Cellcast, Bang Media, Live XXX, the Sport, that's 4 operators at least and I don't think that covers all the channels. I haven't counted them, but Ofcom say there's 17 channels.

Ofcom always talk rubbish, but I'd agree with them banning all UK based sex channels ---- on the grounds they're basically crap.

Yes,but encryption might also kill these channels.....especially if it's a pay service...a fee plus 1.50 a minute...ofcom is putting hurdles in the way of these channels to try and stop them operating..and I doubt you'll be able to register with one to recieve all....They'll be in competion,so really have no intrest in keeping the opposition alive.....but on thinking positivley if they go encrypted will they go harder !confused!

Ofcon would step in and do what?

These is no law to prevent R18 being broadcast.

Are you sure there isn't a rule for "Live Content"

Jacques, this is nothing to do with the adult content of the 17 channels affected.

It's a matter of Ofcom saying that programmes should be programmes and ads should be ads, and that a programme where you phone in on a premium rate number is not really a programme at all but just an ad for the premium rate service.

Ofcom are saying if you want to permanently broadcast ads instead of real programmes, then you have to go encrypted because then you don't fall under the TV Advertising code.

Ofcom's argument is that the consumer needs to be protected by there being a clear separation between a programme and an ad, except under encrytion where this separation rule wouldn't apply.

In theory the 900 channels could get around this by broadcasting the calls live and making them part of the programme. Then they could say the calls were contributing to the content of the programme and enticements to call were not merely ads. The problem with this is that they could only take one call at a time and the calls would have to be kept clean enough to be broadcastable.

I don't think that option is realistic and that to go encrypted is a more sensible way forward for the channels, as then they could carry on without changing their format. In fact as michaeldon1 rightly says they could actually make their content harder, so despite the hassle of having to register to see them the channels might be more worth watching!

I agree with jamesW..it's all about the calls with Ofcom...but if they go encrypted,especially if it's subscription they'll have to go a lot harder to survive...A 10 minute call to one of these channels is a months subscription to any of the groupings of encrypted channels as it stands....

I've never understood what enjoyment, if any, the viewer gets by watching these channels? If the viewer wants to have a wank why doesn't he just watch a porno DVD. Perhaps the viewer wants to be fleeced of his hard earned by calling and/or texting in to the women? !confused!

i thought donna and megan were supposed to on 3G together tonight it even says so on the site and nothing lol.