What is the BBC watershed?

The 9pm Watershed in television In the UK, the BBC has a well-established policy of making 9pm the pivotal point of the evening’s television, a Watershed before which, except in exceptional circumstances, all programmes on our domestic channels should be suitable for a general audience including children.

Why is called the watershed?

But, the word was originally a geographical term describing the area from which water sources drain into a single river or a ridge, like that formed by a chain of mountains, which sends water to two different rivers on either side. From that, watershed came to mean a turning point or dividing line in life.

What is the purpose of the 9pm watershed?

As a general rule, the more adult in nature the content is, the later it should be broadcast, with the 9pm watershed being the crucial point in time before which material unsuitable for children should not generally be broadcast.

When was the TV watershed introduced?

In 1962, the BBC Handbook recognised “the dangers of corruption by television through violence or through triviality”. This led to the Television Act of 1964 and the birth of ‘the watershed’, which sought to protect children by delaying unsuitable programmes until after 9pm.

Can you swear on live TV UK?

What do you mean by unsuitable material? Unsuitable material can include everything from sexual content to violence, graphic or distressing imagery and swearing. For example, the most offensive language must not be broadcast before the watershed on TV or, on radio, when children are particularly likely to be listening.

Is swearing on TV illegal?

Broadcasting obscene content is prohibited by law at all times of the day. Indecent and profane content are prohibited on broadcast TV and radio between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., when there is a reasonable risk that children may be in the audience.

What is a watershed in Britain?

In British English, the noun watershed is used to denote the time in the evening after which programmes that are regarded as unsuitable for children are broadcast on television.

Does America have a watershed?

United States. The term “watershed” is not used in this context in the United States. In the US, the “safe harbor” for “indecent” programming begins at 10:00 p.m. and ends at 6:00 a.m. the next morning (all time zones). It’s also when they charge the most for advertising time.

Can you swear on TV after 10pm?

Can you swear on British TV?

Swearing is acceptable on television in the U.K. but only after 9:00pm. This is the time when it is generally accepted that children are not watching; if children are watching after 9:00pm it’s the responsibility of the parents to make the decision on what is and what is not suitable.

When did the UK watershed start?

The watershed begins at 9pm and material unsuitable for children should not, in general, be shown before 9pm or after 5.30am.

What does watershed mean in Britain?