Comedy Central put on notice over offensive trailers

Comedy Central has again been rapped over its offensive and inappropriate trailers.

Regulators Ofcom have now put the channel on official notice to clean up its act after promos for Amy Schmer's shows, Impractical Jokes and Workaholics fell foul of the rules.

The watchdog today warned that the broadcaster could face fines if it breaks the broadcasting code again.

Their new ruling over the adverts shown in daytime slots this summer comes two week after the broadcaster was censured for airing trailers for Inside Amy Schumer and South Park that were too offensive to air even after the 9pm watershed.

And in October, channel bosses were summoned to a meeting at Ofcom after 14 pre-watershed trailers that were deemed too risqué.

Today Ofcom published its response to 27 complaints it received over:

• A trailer for Workaholics which included scenes of characters smoking cannabis which aired at teatime • A trailer for the hidden-camera show Impractical Jokers which featured the comedian Sal Vulcano telling a woman on speed-date that he only kissed the vagina before marriage • Trailers for Amy Schumer: Mostly Sex Stuff and Inside Amy Schumer which contained 'repeated sexual references and innuendo', including use of the word 'slut', a joke about sex with children and 'descriptions of sexual activity'.

All were shown before the watershed.

In its response, channel owner Paramount expressed its 'deep regret at the scheduling' of the trailers during daytime and apologised 'unreservedly'.

They conceded that they had 'had pushed the boundaries of compliance practice for promos too far in recent months' and said that once bosses had become aware of Ofcom's concerns, the trailers 'were immediately pulled and an urgent review of all daytime promos was conducted'.

Paramount also said it was conducting an 'internal investigation…to understand how this lapse in judgement happened… to ensure it never happens again.'

Ofcom ruled that the pre-watershed trailers included themes and content aimed at an adult audience, and were inappropriate for the times they aired since there was no editorial justification for showing them.

The watchdog added: 'Given the number of breaches recorded, Ofcom is concerned about the licensee's approach to its compliance of trailers. Ofcom is therefore putting the Licensee on notice that it intends to monitor the compliance of trailers broadcast on Comedy Central and Comedy Central Extra.

'Should any further breaches of the relevant rules occur, Ofcom is likely to consider taking further regulatory action which may include the imposition of a statutory sanction.'

A Comedy Central spokesperson said today: 'We accept Ofcom's findings and apologise for any offence caused. All breaches took place during an isolated period and we look forward to entering 2016 with a strengthened compliance system governing our on-air promos.'

Published: 7 Dec 2015