Spice goes out of the telly

TELEVISION JUST got boring. From Thursday, no movies, music videos or film promos which have been certified A or UA will be screened on the telly without a re-certification from the Censor Board. And if you thought only voyeurs of the Kaanta Laga fan club will be affected, well here's a reality check ? movies like Rang De Basanti or Reservoir Dogs won't be shown unless there are major changes made.

TELEVISION JUST got boring. From Thursday, no movies, music videos or film promos which have been certified A or UA will be screened on the telly without a re-certification from the Censor Board. And if you thought only voyeurs of the Kaanta Laga fan club will be affected, well here's a reality check — movies like Rang De Basanti or Reservoir Dogs won't be shown unless there are major changes made.

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Even after 11 p.m., music channels cannot show steamy music videos. The regulation also covers foreign movies and music videos.

The notification issued Under Cable Television (Network) Rules 1994 bans screening of A or UA certified content on television. Cable operators beaming such content will he held responsible. Action will also be taken against the broadcaster. For the first offence, a warning will have to be shown. In case of a second offence, a scroll for three days will have to be run with all other programmes. And, for third offence the transmission will be suspended for three days.

The footage will be beamed only of the objectionable scenes are deleted, reshot or blurred a senior ministry official told the Hindustan Times.

The notification came after the I&B ministry got a legal opinion on Mumbai High Court's verdict directing cable operators not to carry any content unsuitable for unrestricted public exhibition. "The legal opinion was that the verdict is applicable for entire nation," an official said. Increasing complaints about television content from viewers and social groups also influenced the decision.

The good news: Things may not remain same for long. Officials say a different regime, allowing adult content late in the night may came into force in the new content code being formulated under the new Broadcast Regulatory Bill. Till then, be content with watching Sound of Music.