The BCCSA in its latest annual annual review for 2010/2011 says the BCCSA has emphasises the importance of subscription channels ensuring that age restriction are effective as far as the parental control mechanism is concerned. In all cases the past year, complaints from viewers were upheld, and it was found that managerial error was to blame. On five occasions fines were imposed by the BCCSA. ''DStv and M-Net have both taken steps to address the problem,'' says the BCCSA.
''Of course, it should be borne in mind that whenever there is a direct feed from a foreign country, there is the risk of an age-restricted film being shown outside of the watershed in South Africa. Subscription broadcasters are aware of this problem and are constantly addressing this matter with foreign sources.''
''If such a problem persists, the only solution would seem to be for the subscription broadcaster to cut ties with that source,'' says the BCCSA. ''Subscribers should, of course, also bear in mind that such a risk exists when they subscribe to a broadcaster with foreign sources.''
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Regarding South African television's switch to digital terrestrial television (DTT) and the move from analogue to digital broadcasting, a process known as digital migration) the BCCSA says the regulator will ''encourage free-to-air television broadcasters to make available continuous advisories, in an attached information text, as to content and age restrictions''.
''Currently, broadcasters are required, where relevant, to include an advisory for the first 90 seconds at the commencement of a broadcast, and to repeat it after each advertisement break for a period of 30 seconds. In some instances the advisory is required to be continuous, for instance in the case of WWE wrestling or some of the more explicit midnight movies, although the latter programmes seem to be dwindling in number.''
''DStv provides continuous on-air information on all channels through the electronic programme guide (EPG), and a parental block-out mechanism is also provided. Currently, the EPG does not include L, V, S and N advisories, but it does indicate age restrictions and a synopsis of the programme. This information is accessed by pressing the ''i'' key on the remote control device,'' says the BCCSA.
