Ofcom
What is Ofcom?
Ofcom is a communication service that protects the public from being treated unfairly by what is shown on TV. They have a responsibility to make sure that shows that are not suitable for young children to see are shown after watershed. They have the power to show what TV shows they want to show at times that are appropriate for viewers to see at those times of the day.
Why do we have watershed?
Watershed is to protect children from seeing harmful or offensive language on TV during the evening. Watershed in the UK is at 9pm and has been like that for 50 years. Which shows what is suitable for young children to see before it is watershed. Watershed is also called safe harbour in the United States and is also know as Adult time in Venezuela. In New Zealand watershed starts at 20:30pm.
When does Watershed start?
Watershed in the UK on free-to-air TV is between the times of 21:00pm to 05:30am but on premium channels watershed starts at 20:00pm and finish at 05:30 as well but they changed that on the 1st October 2011. Now the watershed still starts at 20:00pm but now it finishes at 06:00am. TV shows or movies that are rated 15 can only be shown during watershed and will not be shown before watershed starts but ones that are rated 12 can be before 21:00 such as shows as The Simpsons, Futurama. Etc. advertisements that are rated 15-18 cannot be shown before watershed also they have to be shown after it.
How does Watershed affect Hot Fuzz?
Watershed can affect Hot Fuzz because on free-to-air TV it will be shown between the times 21:00pm- 05:00am and their adverts will barely be shown because of the rating and the content of their movie so the advertisement of their film will be shown after the time of 21:00pm. While on premium channels it will be shown between the times of 20:00pm and 06:00am, which means the advertisement of their movie, will be shown between those times as well. This could affect Hot Fuzz as some 15 and overs might be offended by the Language and the Violence that is in the movie, it will also depend on what time they are putting it on during these times as some people have work or school in the morning so they might not be up to see the movie.
