About 'G' and PIN protection

Published: Tuesday, 28 August 2007, 3:11PM

As a responsible broadcaster, ITV wants to ensure that viewers are aware of the content of programmes, and that programmes are not made available to those who may find it unsuitable or offensive. This applies in particular ensuring that children do not access programmes containing content or themes such as violence, sex or strong language. The protection also extends to cover warnings about flashing images.

In traditional scheduled TV broadcasting, the 9pm watershed is well understood as signalling to viewers that material broadcast after that time may not be suitable for all viewers. In addition, ITV will often broadcast a verbal warning about the content of the programme in the continuity announcement immediately preceding it.

Where programmes are offered via www.itv.com that allows viewers to choose when to watch content it is not possible to adhere to the watershed in the same way.

Any content that was originally broadcast after the watershed or which carried an on-air announcement will feature a ‘G’ beside it. You can scroll the mouse over the G to see the content advice in detail (e.g. this programme contains strong language).

ITV has put in place an optional PIN access control system to allow users of www.itv.com to choose whether to PIN protect such content. By activating PIN access control you can opt to ensure that any material that was originally broadcast after the watershed or which carried an on-air announcement will require PIN access every time such material is selected for viewing. If, on the other hand, you would prefer to be able to access all material without PIN access control you can select this option and will not be required to enter at PIN at any time, unless you later decide to activate this function.