TelstraClear fined over adult TV show

The Broadcasting Standards Authority has ordered TelstraClear to pay $3000 after upholding two complaints about a dating show broadcast on the Sky1 channel in February.

The complaints were that The 5th Wheel, an American dating show, featured overt sexual content and nudity, was in bad taste, was inadequately classified and contained unacceptable themes for children.

In its finding the authority upheld two complaints of breaches of two standards in the Broadcasting Act in the programmes broadcast by Sky1 on February 5 and February 9.

TelstraClear has a deal with Sky Television Networks, to supply all TelstraClear's pay-television content, including the Sky1 channel.

Both complainants objected to the times the shows were screened -- 6.30pm -- saying these times were during children's normally accepted viewing times.

They pointed out one female contestant was shown topless, a male contestant stripped to his underwear and performed a sexually suggestive dance with one of the women, and sexual activity was implied.

TelstraClear responded it had investigated the complaints with Sky and upgraded the programme to M (suitable for mature adults) and moved the programme to a 10.30pm time slot.

The company also said it was not a broadcaster, a submission rejected by the authority.

It ordered TelstraClear to pay the Crown a total of $3000 on the two complaints.

- NZPA