topic Re: Virgin media pin needed in What's On

Virgin media pin needed

AR214 — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 08:04:32 GMT

Virgin media requires a pin all day, none of the other channels. All parents setting is off and I've turned the box on and off.

Re: Virgin media pin needed

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 08:22:02 GMT

@AR214 Virgin Media? Have you thought about asking them?

Re: Virgin media pin needed

caesarome — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 08:48:01 GMT

@AR214

Do you mean the Virgin One channel, so are you in Ireland ?

Re: Virgin media pin needed

AR214 — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 09:09:53 GMT

I'm in Ireland, I'm with sky so yes I mean the channel! All other virgin media channels and all channels working but virgin media one needs a pin. All pin settings are off.

Re: Virgin media pin needed

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 09:14:29 GMT

Found this on Virgin Media:

The watershed pin is a mandatory OFCOM directive ofcom.org.uk/mandatory-daytime-protection and affects Sky as well as Virgin, they can't transmit (or re-transmit) any programme or film rated higher than 12+ out of watershed hours without the viewing PIN being locked on.

It was introduced as part of an agreement that Sky got to broadcast higher rated films that would ordinarily have been behind a watershed during the day. It affects various channels such as Sky Cinema, Sky Documentaries and Sky Comedy. They all have mandatory PIN protection for shows they broadcast outside the watershed hours. This also applies to normal programs, movies, box sets etc.

On Demand also has PIN protection based on the watershed hours.

This also applies to some Startover programs, if you have missed the start you can watch live without a pin, but if you watch from the start you need a pin.

Re: Virgin media pin needed

Daniel0210 — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 09:38:47 GMT

@Anonymous

As the customer is in Ireland (presumably the ROI), it's covered by ComReg not Ofcom so the exact same regulations may not apply. Perhaps someone from ROI can confirm?

Re: Virgin media pin needed

Anonymous — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 09:30:13 GMT

Irish TV companies do tend to follow Ofcom regulations according to information I've seen online, so my earlier reply is the most likely explanation as to why a PIN is required.

Re: Virgin media pin needed

82bit — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 09:40:15 GMT

Bizarrely, and almost unrelated(!) but Crystal Maze is occasionally pin protected too I've found. Pretty darn annoying - especially if you've got stuff your older children should be ok watching, but can't because you'd have to give them the PIN - which you wouldn't want them knowing ideally. What we need is a Parental Control PIN AND a separate 'System PIN' for purchases/account management etc...

Re: Virgin media pin needed

nolte — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 10:03:01 GMT

@Daniel0210 wrote:
@Anonymous
As the customer is in Ireland (presumably the ROI), it's covered by ComReg not Ofcom so the exact same regulations may not apply. Perhaps someone from ROI can confirm?

so, for sky channels the Ofcom regulations on pin protection does come on here (ie sky showcase, sky atlantic, sky premiere) where the content is rated 12, 15 during the day.

i have gone to virgin media one and it went straight through without any pin for me on sky q

but i think if there is an issue, it might be the tv listings issue reported elsewhere.

i don't watch a lot of virgin media programming, but for rte 1, rte 2, and tg4, i've never seen pin protection come up on the content. i was recently watching a simpsons treehouse of horror episode on bank holiday monday here on rte 2 at 4:30 and there was no pin on it. (and the third part of the episode i can not watch due to the content of it)

Re: Virgin media pin needed

ozsat — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 10:57:10 GMT

This channel has had problems with their EPG over the weekend and I suspect the PIN requirement is a part of that.

Hopefully they will fix after the weekend.

https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/What-s-On/Virgin-one/td-p/5012709

@AR214 wrote:
Virgin media requires a pin all day, none of the other channels. All parents setting is off and I've turned the box on and off.

Re: Virgin media pin needed

Marlu-Nyu — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 22:19:09 GMT

@82bit wrote:
Bizarrely, and almost unrelated(!) but Crystal Maze is occasionally pin protected too I've found. Pretty darn annoying - especially if you've got stuff your older children should be ok watching, but can't because you'd have to give them the PIN - which you wouldn't want them knowing ideally. What we need is a Parental Control PIN AND a separate 'System PIN' for purchases/account management etc...

@nolte wrote:
@Daniel0210 wrote:
@Anonymous
As the customer is in Ireland (presumably the ROI), it's covered by ComReg not Ofcom so the exact same regulations may not apply. Perhaps someone from ROI can confirm?

so, for sky channels the Ofcom regulations on pin protection does come on here (ie sky showcase, sky atlantic, sky premiere) where the content is rated 12, 15 during the day.

i have gone to virgin media one and it went straight through without any pin for me on sky q

but i think if there is an issue, it might be the tv listings issue reported elsewhere.

i don't watch a lot of virgin media programming, but for rte 1, rte 2, and tg4, i've never seen pin protection come up on the content. i was recently watching a simpsons treehouse of horror episode on bank holiday monday here on rte 2 at 4:30 and there was no pin on it. (and the third part of the episode i can not watch due to the content of it)

Just in relation to (e.g.) The Crystal Maze on Challenge.

I cannot stress this enough. Ofcom does not enforce a mandatory PIN for programmes from 5:30am to 9:00pm with a 12, 15, or 18 rating on any platform.

However, Ofcom states that channels and content must be appropriate for the targeted audience and the audience that would likely be watching. Sky, Virgin Media, Freeview, Freesat, all do abide by this Ofcom rule but take their own actions to abide by it.

Sky enforces the mandatory PIN to cover themselves and to abide by this rule. This is why a 12-rating of The Crystal Maze on Challenge at (e.g.) 4:30pm is PIN protected on Sky but not on (e.g.) Freeview. As Challenge is not a channel for children, it's unlikely a child will watch it.

This is why 12 or 15 rated content and programmes can be aired before 9pm on (e.g.) Freeview. This goes for all content. It's the likely audience who would be watching the channel at that time. Also, it's down to viewers to self-regulate too.

For example, if Challange was to show a Sky Kids segment say from 6am to 9am, and then a 12-rated The Crystal Maze came on at 9am, that wouldn't be allowed, as children still could be watching.

Re: Virgin media pin needed

Marlu-Nyu — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 22:13:28 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Irish TV companies do tend to follow Ofcom regulations according to information I've seen online, so my earlier reply is the most likely explanation as to why a PIN is required.

I actually think the PIN was required for Virgin Media One today as according to Sky's EPG servers, the channel was not broadcasting (no listings, channel not showing up on TV Guide on Sky TV Guide site). I would assume the system thinks this is a manual tuned channel. If the Parental Controls are on, accessing manual tuned channels requires a PIN. It will be fixed tomorrow when the listings return.

Re: Virgin media pin needed

Marlu-Nyu — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 22:18:02 GMT

@Marlu-Nyu wrote:
@82bit wrote:
Bizarrely, and almost unrelated(!) but Crystal Maze is occasionally pin protected too I've found. Pretty darn annoying - especially if you've got stuff your older children should be ok watching, but can't because you'd have to give them the PIN - which you wouldn't want them knowing ideally. What we need is a Parental Control PIN AND a separate 'System PIN' for purchases/account management etc...
Just in relation to (e.g.) The Crystal Maze on Challenge.

I cannot stress this enough. Ofcom does not enforce a mandatory PIN for programmes from 5:30am to 9:00pm with a 12, 15, or 18 rating on any platform.

However, Ofcom states that channels and content must be appropriate for the targeted audience and the audience that would likely be watching. Sky, Virgin Media, Freeview, Freesat, all do abide by this Ofcom rule but take their own actions to abide by it.

Sky enforces the mandatory PIN to cover themselves and to abide by this rule. This is why a 12-rating of The Crystal Maze on Challenge at (e.g.) 4:30pm is PIN protected on Sky but not on (e.g.) Freeview. As Challenge is not a channel for children, it's unlikely a child will watch it.

This is why 12 or 15 rated content and programmes can be aired before 9pm on (e.g.) Freeview. This goes for all content. It's the likely audience who would be watching the channel at that time. Also, it's down to viewers to self-regulate too.

For example, if Challange was to show a Sky Kids segment say from 6am to 9am, and then a 12-rated The Crystal Maze came on at 9am, that wouldn't be allowed, as children still could be watching.

Also, I want to point out this article from the Sky Community that explains furter about the PIN-protection and Ofcom's role:
https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/What-s-On/PIN-protection-before-9pm-watershed/m-p/4961625

Re: Virgin media pin needed

TimmyBGood — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 07:16:51 GMT

@Marlu-Nyu wrote:

I cannot stress this enough. Ofcom does not enforce a mandatory PIN for programmes from 5:30am to 9:00pm with a 12, 15, or 18 rating on any platform.

Statement published 5 November 2018

The Ofcom Broadcasting Code (“the Code”) allows for films rated up to ‘15’ by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) to be broadcast during the daytime on premium subscription channels and up to ‘18’ on pay per view film channels, provided that they are protected by a mandatory PIN code. This form of protection is called mandatory daytime protection (“MDP”) and cannot be removed or bypassed by viewers.

Following our consultation in March 2018, this document sets out Ofcom’s decision to extend the application of the MDP rules in the Code to permit scheduled television channels to show programmes, which can currently only be shown after the 9pm watershed, before this time, but only if mandatory daytime protection is in place.

Ofcom has carefully considered all consultation responses in reaching this decision and this statement concludes the review. The revisions to the relevant rules to extend MDP beyond premium film content will come into force on 1 January 2019.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-standards/mandatory-daytime-protection

Re: Virgin media pin needed

nolte — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 07:33:45 GMT

@Marlu-Nyu wrote:
@82bit wrote:
Bizarrely, and almost unrelated(!) but Crystal Maze is occasionally pin protected too I've found. Pretty darn annoying - especially if you've got stuff your older children should be ok watching, but can't because you'd have to give them the PIN - which you wouldn't want them knowing ideally. What we need is a Parental Control PIN AND a separate 'System PIN' for purchases/account management etc...
@nolte wrote:
@Daniel0210 wrote:
@Anonymous
As the customer is in Ireland (presumably the ROI), it's covered by ComReg not Ofcom so the exact same regulations may not apply. Perhaps someone from ROI can confirm?

so, for sky channels the Ofcom regulations on pin protection does come on here (ie sky showcase, sky atlantic, sky premiere) where the content is rated 12, 15 during the day.

i have gone to virgin media one and it went straight through without any pin for me on sky q

but i think if there is an issue, it might be the tv listings issue reported elsewhere.

i don't watch a lot of virgin media programming, but for rte 1, rte 2, and tg4, i've never seen pin protection come up on the content. i was recently watching a simpsons treehouse of horror episode on bank holiday monday here on rte 2 at 4:30 and there was no pin on it. (and the third part of the episode i can not watch due to the content of it)
Just in relation to (e.g.) The Crystal Maze on Challenge.

I cannot stress this enough. Ofcom does not enforce a mandatory PIN for programmes from 5:30am to 9:00pm with a 12, 15, or 18 rating on any platform.

However, Ofcom states that channels and content must be appropriate for the targeted audience and the audience that would likely be watching. Sky, Virgin Media, Freeview, Freesat, all do abide by this Ofcom rule but take their own actions to abide by it.

Sky enforces the mandatory PIN to cover themselves and to abide by this rule. This is why a 12-rating of The Crystal Maze on Challenge at (e.g.) 4:30pm is PIN protected on Sky but not on (e.g.) Freeview. As Challenge is not a channel for children, it's unlikely a child will watch it.

This is why 12 or 15 rated content and programmes can be aired before 9pm on (e.g.) Freeview. This goes for all content. It's the likely audience who would be watching the channel at that time. Also, it's down to viewers to self-regulate too.

For example, if Challange was to show a Sky Kids segment say from 6am to 9am, and then a 12-rated The Crystal Maze came on at 9am, that wouldn't be allowed, as children still could be watching.

Ofcom leave in the past fined sky for pre watershed broadcasts of Game of Thrones on Sky Atlantic and Entourage on Sky Comedy where the mandatory pin protection did not work.

I would have said neither Sky atlantic or Sky comedy are intended for children to be watching, but ofcom still took action for those 2 pin protection failures but still ofcom fined sky for it so to say "ofcom does not enforce" seems wrong

Re: Virgin media pin needed

Marlu-Nyu — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 12:11:30 GMT

@TimmyBGood wrote:
@Marlu-Nyu wrote:
I cannot stress this enough. Ofcom does not enforce a mandatory PIN for programmes from 5:30am to 9:00pm with a 12, 15, or 18 rating on any platform.
Statement published 5 November 2018

The Ofcom Broadcasting Code (“the Code”) allows for films rated up to ‘15’ by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) to be broadcast during the daytime on premium subscription channels and up to ‘18’ on pay per view film channels, provided that they are protected by a mandatory PIN code. This form of protection is called mandatory daytime protection (“MDP”) and cannot be removed or bypassed by viewers.

Following our consultation in March 2018, this document sets out Ofcom’s decision to extend the application of the MDP rules in the Code to permit scheduled television channels to show programmes, which can currently only be shown after the 9pm watershed, before this time, but only if mandatory daytime protection is in place.

Ofcom has carefully considered all consultation responses in reaching this decision and this statement concludes the review. The revisions to the relevant rules to extend MDP beyond premium film content will come into force on 1 January 2019.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-standards/mandatory-daytime-protection

Yes, this is for FILMS, like on Sky Cinema. This do not apply for non-movie content like The Crystal Maze, or Bruce Forsyth's The Generation Game, Caught on Dashcam, The Simpsons, etc. when they receive a 12 or 15 rating. This is why Sky Cinema cannot be on Freeview or Freesat.

Ofcom states:
5:18:
Some responses to the Call for Inputs highlighted that additional metadata would be
required on post-9pm watershed programmes to trigger mandatory daytime protection,
and that currently the use of programme metadata is not standardised across the industry:

• Freesat saw the provision of metadata as a key obstacle. It suggested that only some
broadcasters provided the metadata that STBs use to prevent access to on-demand
content pre-watershed. Channels wishing to use mandatory daytime protection would
need to provide additional metadata to the STBs in a standard form that the STBs could
interpret. Freesat cited that this may present a barrier to smaller channel providers
who may not be in a position to provide this additional metadata.

• Youview explained that its devices also need to receive metadata in a recognisable
format to implement a PIN protection. YouView stated that it would be likely to need
to make changes to its business-to-business and business-to-consumer interfaces to
communicate any new metadata to STBs.

• There are two ways which broadcasters can restrict access to channels on the Sky
Platform:
- a watershed PIN system (currently used for film channels). This requires
broadcasters to provide a parental rating in the programme metadata used to
populate the Sky EPG; or
- a content access PIN system (currently used for adult channels). For this type a
technical change would be required to the broadcaster’s scheduling system to add
a piece of meta-data to explicitly identify post-9pm watershed content before the
9pm watershed. This change would need to be made before schedules are
provided to TV platforms to trigger a mandatory PIN.

Sky have informed Ofcom that if the Code was changed in this area, they would work
closely with third party pay TV broadcasters to ensure they could make use of the
relevant PIN functionality on Sky’s platforms. Sky have stated their commitment to
continue to take steps to check the meta-data received from channels.

5.19 It is the responsibility of broadcasters (channels) to ensure that content is scheduled and
coded correctly, with additional metadata to identify the need to enable PIN protection.
Just as, at present, channels are ultimately responsible for the mandatory PIN protection of
film and adult services on pay TV platforms, not the platform they are available on.

5.20 However, Ofcom would expect broadcasters and platforms to work together (through
contractual agreements where necessary) to ensure the correct and consistent labelling,
and checking, of content before transmission.

5.21 For some broadcasters wishing to use mandatory daytime protection, this could be readily
incorporated within current processes for scheduling, transmission and encryption of
content. For others, more work might need to be done to ensure programmes had the
correct metadata which could be interpreted by all relevant STBs. Ofcom is interested in
hearing from broadcasters [...]

Re: Virgin media pin needed

AR214 — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 12:24:57 GMT

All sorted now, seems it was a problem with the vm channel listing. Thanks for all help and replies.

Re: Virgin media pin needed

SpaceSparkie — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 08:46:54 GMT

Hi Everyone

Im locking this thread now as it has provided the answer and had started to go off topic.

Just a friendly reminder to keep the conversation on topic and focus on being kind and helpful to each other. Let’s keep the discussions respectful and positive. We’re all here to learn and share!