Why does Sky Max ignore my Parental settings?

[Q-tips]

No-one chez moi needs protecting so I have long ago turned off the option for a PIN interrogation in my SkyQ Parental Controls. But for some reason, Sky Max ignores my preference and keeps demanding a PIN number when I make the rash decision to watch one of their programmes. Why?

[oldfella]

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@Q-tips wrote:

No-one chez moi needs protecting so I have long ago turned off the option for a PIN interrogation in my SkyQ Parental Controls. But for some reason, Sky Max ignores my preference and keeps demanding a PIN number when I make the rash decision to watch one of their programmes. Why?

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Hi @Q-tips 

Afraid Pin entry will always be required in some instances.

https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-TV/Is-there-any-way-I-can-turn-this-damn-parental-control-off/ba-p/...

[TimmyBGood]

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@Q-tips wrote:

But for some reason, Sky Max ignores my preference and keeps demanding a PIN number when I make the rash decision to watch one of their programmes. Why?

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Max will rarely be carrying content requiring Mandatory Daytime Protection, but Atlantic regularly does so.

The Broadcasting Code specifies that a platform must not permit MDP to be switched off by a user.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-2/mandatory-daytime-protection 

[Q-tips]

Is the watershed still a thing in this streaming/recording age? 

The latest PIN demand from Sky Max came when I tried to watch the "Romesh/Rob do F1" light entertainment programme which contained swear words but no sex, violence or nudity.

It's only happening to me on the Sky channels.

[TimmyBGood]

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@Q-tips wrote:

Is the watershed still a thing in this streaming/recording age? 

It's still in UK law, yes, for platforms regulated under the Broadcasting Code.

The latest PIN demand from Sky Max came when I tried to watch the "Romesh/Rob do F1" light entertainment programme which contained swear words but no sex, violence or nudity.

Language might well require MDP by itself, or the broadcaster is playing safe, or it's an error.

It's only happening to me on the Sky channels.

Only (some) Sky channels currently choose to carry post-watershed content before 21:00

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[oldfella]

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@Q-tips wrote:

Is the watershed still a thing in this streaming/recording age? 

The latest PIN demand from Sky Max came when I tried to watch the "Romesh/Rob do F1" light entertainment programme which contained swear words but no sex, violence or nudity.

It's only happening to me on the Sky channels.

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Hi @Q-tips 

Afraid it is for TV broadcasters.

[Q-tips]

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@TimmyBGood wrote:

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@Q-tips wrote:

But for some reason, Sky Max ignores my preference and keeps demanding a PIN number when I make the rash decision to watch one of their programmes. Why?

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Max will rarely be carrying content requiring Mandatory Daytime Protection, but Atlantic regularly does so.

The Broadcasting Code specifies that a platform must not permit MDP to be switched off by a user.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations-and-statements/category-2/mandatory-daytime-protection 

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But why? If a household wants to switch off MDP during the day why should it be prevented from doing so?

[oldfella]

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@Q-tips wrote:

But why? If a household wants to switch off MDP during the day why should it be prevented from doing so?

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Hi @Q-tips 

Ask Ofcom

[TimmyBGood · Accepted solution]

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@Q-tips wrote:

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But why? If a household wants to switch off MDP during the day why should it be prevented from doing so?

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The current Broadcasting Code says they must not be permitted to do so: that's effectively the law.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and-on-demand/broadcast-codes/broadcast-code/section-one-protectin... 

For arguing wider points about taste and decency in the internet age, see your MP.

[Q-tips]

Ofcom don't make the laws so complaining to them would be pointless and I don't have the energy to campaign for the law to be changed. If there were children in my house, it should be my decision whether they can watch/hear swear words, not the government's. It's also inconsistent because a parent can't be charged for swearing in front of his/her child. Annoyed.

[TimmyBGood]

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@Q-tips wrote:

 If there were children in my house, it should be my decision whether they can watch/hear swear words, not the government's.

Governments have been making laws that set limits on 'taste and decency' and, to greater or lesser extent the 'protection of children' since government became a thing a few thousand years ago: it's one of their defining roles.  Whether or not an individual subject or citizen thinks it should be  the role of government to do so is rather different.

It's also inconsistent because a parent can't be charged for swearing in front of his/her child.

Doing so could be seen as an issue under wider child protection legislation, but irrespective of this, 'bad language' is specifically covered by the Code in sections 1.14 to 1.16

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