EVENING VIEWING WITH PTV NETWORK NZ
Below are the mock details.
Understanding the regulatory framework for free-to-air television is crucial for us at PTV Network New Zealand.
We are fully committed to adhering to the classification guidelines laid down by the Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA) to ensure responsible programming for all our viewers. These classifications, as at 1 May 2020, provide a clear framework for the suitability of content for different age groups:
- G: Approved for general viewing. These programmes are considered suitable for audiences of all ages.
- PG: Parental Guidance recommended for younger viewers. These programmes may contain elements parents should consider before allowing younger children to watch unsupervised.
- M: Suitable for mature audiences 16 years and over. These programmes contain content which is more appropriate for a mature audience, including older teenagers and adults.
- 16: People under 16 years should not view. These programmes contain content which is deemed unsuitable for audiences under the age of 16.
- 18: People under 18 years should not view. These programmes contain content which is deemed unsuitable for audiences under the age of 18.
In addition to these classifications, descriptor codes or audience advisories may be applied to programmes classified as PG, M, 16 or 18 to provide further context about the content:
- C: Content may offend. The programme may contain content which some viewers find offensive (e.g. adult themes, drug use/references, medical and surgical procedures, nudity etc).
- L: Language may offend. The programme may contain strong or offensive language.
- V: Contains violence. The programme includes depictions of violence.
- S: Sexual content may offend. The programme may contain sexual references or depictions which some viewers find offensive.
The BSA also outlines specific timebands for the screening of certain classifications on free-to-air television. Programmes classified as M can be screened between 9am-3pm on weekdays (during school term time as designated by the Ministry of Education) and from 7.30pm until 5am daily. Programmes classified as 16 can only be screened after 8.30pm and programmes classified 18 can only be screened after 9.30pm. However, programmes classified G or PG are suitable for viewing at any time.
At PTV Network New Zealand, while we fully respect and intend to operate within the guidelines established by the BSA, our scheduling policy for evening viewing across our linear channels (such as PTV, PTV Shake, PTV Gold etc) incorporates some strategic adjustments to the timebands provided.
Our primetime viewing window is generally structured to start and finish earlier than the standard BSA guidelines, running from approximately 6pm to 10pm starting times and mirroring a scheduling approach often seen in Britain. Within this primetime block, we identify the 8pm and 9pm slots as our key programming hours.
Our scheduling policy is carefully designed to cater for a broader range of viewers throughout the evening:
6pm – 7pm: Family viewing
This early evening slot is a crucial time for families to come together and enjoy television. As such, our programming during this hour will primarily feature content classified as G and PG.
We aim to offer a selection of engaging and entertaining programmes which are suitable for all ages, fostering a shared viewing experience for Kiwi families. This could include light-hearted dramas, family-friendly comedies, captivating nature documentaries or engaging lifestyle shows.
Our goal is to provide content that is enjoyable for children and appealing to adults, setting a positive and inclusive tone for the evening’s viewing.
7pm – 8pm: Transition to primetime
Moving into the heart of the evening, this hour serves as a transition period towards our main primetime line-up.
We will continue to feature a mix of G and PG programmes, potentially introducing content which may appeal to a slightly broader age demographic within those classifications. This slot might include the early episodes of drama series which are suitable for a family audience but may contain slightly more complex themes or light entertainment programmes which can be enjoyed by children and adults and served as family shows.
We will also strategically place programmes here that can build audience momentum leading into our key 8pm slot.
8pm – 9pm: Primetime – first key slot (M classification introduction)
This marks the beginning of our key primetime viewing hours.
In alignment with our adjusted scheduling policy, programmes classified as M will now commence at 8pm in this slot – a later start time than the BSA’s general 7.30pm guideline. This adjustment reflects our commitment to ensuring content with adult themes is shown at a time when younger viewers, especially children, are less likely to be watching.
Alongside M programmes, we will also feature high quality PG programmes which can appeal to a wider primetime audience. This hour will be a showcase for some of our most anticipated dramas, engaging light entertainment shows and compelling documentaries designed to captivate our target audiences.
9pm – 10pm: Primetime – second key slot (16 classification introduction)
Building on the momentum of the 8pm slot, this hour represents our second key primetime period.
Programmes classified as 16 will now commence at 9pm, a later start time than the BSA’s general 8.30pm guideline. While the ‘watershed’ commences at the rightful time of 8.30pm, our internal policy shifts the introduction of 16 content to 9pm to further safeguard younger viewers. This slot will feature more sophisticated dramas, edgier comedies and in-depth factual programming aimed at our mature adult audience.
We will continue to strategically place high interest programmes here (including dramas, movies and documentaries with an M classification) to maintain strong viewership through our key primetime hours.
Post 10pm: Late night viewing (18 classification introduction)
As we move into the late night viewing period after 10pm, we will begin to show programmes classified as 18, aligning with the BSA’s general 9.30pm guideline but commencing at the slightly later time of 10pm as per our internal policy.
It is important to know that while we may screen 18 content in this slot, not all the programmes will necessarily feature explicit content. Many of the 18 programmes we screen will be carefully selected and may even be edited for content to ensure they align with our overall broadcast standards while still being suitable for a mature, late night audience.
This slot will also include a range of other adult content (including dramas, movies and documentaries with an M or 16 classification). Our aim is to provide compelling viewing options for adults who are still awake while remaining mindful of broadcast standards and audience expectations for late night programming.
Throughout our scheduling, we will meticulously ensure all programmes are correctly classified (G, PG, M, 16, 18) and any applicable descriptor codes or audience advisories (C, L, V, S) are clearly displayed to inform viewers about the content they are about to watch.
Our commitment to responsible scheduling and adherence to the spirit, if not always the exact minute, of the BSA guidelines is paramount. We believe these adjustments to the timebands will allow us to deliver a strong and engaging primetime line-up while also ensuring the protection of younger viewers and providing clear guidance to our adult audience about the nature of the content being shown.
Our goal is to strike a balance between offering compelling programming and upholding our responsibility as a free-to-air broadcaster in New Zealand.
@greenpea @NuStraya Even though this is hypothetical, what do you think?
