Below is a list of the most commonly used timing restrictions we give ads. Time restrictions for VoD (Video on Demand) adverts work differently to linear tv adverts as they can be watched at any time, therefore we have special restrictions which are more descriptive.

They are broken up into levels, L1 to L5 and they also have a descriptor attached so that the broadcaster knows what type of content is causing the restriction, to better determine which programme the advert may not be suitable for.

H stands for Harm, S for Sex, V for Violence and G for General.

Restrictions, CY, DC, GG apply to both  linear and VoD adverts  as they are restrictions related to scheduling and are not based on the time you are viewing a programme.

 

CY

Not to be transmitted in or adjacent to children’s programmes or programmes commissioned for or principally directed at or likely to appeal particularly to audiences below the age of 18.

Most commonly used for adverts with a slimming/weight loss message or adverts with a doctrinal message. Can also be used for adverts for dating services of a more adult nature.

 

DC

Not to be transmitted in or adjacent to children's programmes or programmes commissioned for or principally directed at or likely to appeal particularly to audiences below the age of 18. Not to be transmitted in or between religious programmes.

Applies to all alcohol advertising.

 

GG

Ad for Betting, Gaming or Bingo. Not to be transmitted in, or adjacent to, religious programmes, children’s programmes or programmes commissioned for, principally directed at or likely to appeal particularly to audiences below the age of 18 but see Presentation Note below.

Linear:

54 GAMING - A voluntary agreement exists not to schedule gaming ads before 21.00. Legal advice should be sought on gaming ads proposed to be broadcast in Northern Ireland

55 BETTING - A voluntary agreement exists not to schedule gambling ads before 21.00. This agreement does not apply to sports betting around televised sporting events

 

PP This restriction is for Linear only and would not apply to VoD adverts

To be transmitted at least two hours away from (TV programme name)

Prevents advertising merchandise/services that have come about as a spin off from a children’s television programme around those programmes

 

Linear: FH
VoD: VFD – VoD ad for Food and Drink

HFSS product. Food or drink products that are assessed as high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) in accordance with the nutrient profiling scheme published by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) on 6 December 2005 may not be advertised in or adjacent to programmes commissioned for, principally directed at or likely to appeal particularly to audiences below the age of 16.

 

Linear: FL
VoD: VFL – VoD ad for non-HFSS (fresh fruit and vegetables or water)

Non-HFSS product

 

Linear: PK
VoD: L1G,L1H, L1S, L1V

Not to be transmitted in the breaks immediately before during and immediately after children’s programmes.

Risk that emulation may result but not considered to be a risk of serious harm and/or mild scary scenes that may frighten and so cause mental harm to very young viewers.

Mild innuendo or sexual activity (such as kissing). Non-sexual nudity.

Accidental interpersonal violence. Mild interpersonal violence likely to be in an historical, comedic or fantasy setting (e.g. light sword play).

 

Linear: TS
VoD: L2H, L2S, L2V

To be transmitted post 1930.  This restriction includes the lesser PK timing restriction.

Potential for emulation. Not suitable for young children as copying the behaviour may result in them placing themselves in a potentially harmful situation (but not a life threatening situation).

Moderate innuendo. Moderate non-graphic sexual activity, this might be nudity in a sexual context.

Interpersonal contact may be strong but brief. There may be scenes of threat and horror in the home. Morphing and/or scary faces. Moderate or strong, but brief, aggressive behaviour. Visuals of injuries, which aren't too graphic but may be bloody.

 

Linear: TN
VoD: L3H , L3S, L3V

To be transmitted post 2100. This restriction includes the lesser PK and TS timing restrictions.

Not suitable for pre-watershed. Risk of emulation will be serious and likely to result in serious harm.

Strong sexual content (but not overtly graphic) including sexual entertainment. Open discussion of sex. Strong and/or crude innuendo. Sexual nudity (no nipples/pubic hair/genitalia).

Interpersonal contact is likely to be strong and repeated. There are likely to be scenes of threat and horror. Aggressive behaviour or visuals of injuries. Scenes of torture should be brief, vague and non-graphic. Street, urban or realistic depictions of crime and violence are likely to need a minimum of TN.

 

Linear: TT
VoD: L4H , L4S, L4V

To be transmitted post 2200.  This restriction includes the lesser PK, TS and TN timing restrictions.

Harm is likely to focus on fighting or graphic content rather than risk of emulation. Emulation with risk of serious harm is likely to be covered by L3H/TN because anything that risked stronger harm would be unacceptable for broadcast.

Strong sexual content - briefly graphic. Open discussion of sex or crude innuendo. Sexual nudity. Repeated scenes of sexual encounters.

Content as TN but likely to have one or two scenes which push the restriction to TT.

 

Linear: TL
VoD: L5H, L5S, L5V

To be transmitted post 2300.  This restriction includes the lesser PK, TS, TN and TT timing restrictions.

Emulation with risk of serious harm is likely to be covered by TN because anything that risked stronger harm is likely to be unacceptable for broadcast.

The strongest sexual content allowable, likely to be graphic, repeated, crude or realistic including commercials for encrypted porn channels.

Strongest violent content allowable. Extremely violent, multiple scenes of contact. Graphic scenes of injury including e.g. scenes of torture and suffering. Realistic and/or urban crime particularly that which might be considered to glamorise such behaviour.