Annual Report and Accounts 2019 British Board of Film Classification Annual Report and Accounts 1 January 2019 – 31 December 2019 This Annual Report is submitted to the Secretary of State for laying before Parliament pursuant to the provisions of Section 6 of the Video Recordings Act 1984. It is made up of two parts. The first is a report on the activities of the Board for the period and the second (contained in an annex) is the statutory report and financial statements of the company as approved by the Directors. The Annual report does not form part of the statutory accounts of the company. © British Board of Film Classification 2020 The text of this document (this excludes, where present, the Royal Arms and all departmental or agency logos) may be reproduced free of charge in any format or medium provided that it is reproduced accurately and not in a misleading context. The material must be acknowledged as © British Board of Film Classification and the document title specified. Where third party material has been identified, permission from the respective copyright holder must be sought. Please send any enquiries related to this publication to [email protected] You can download this publication from bbfc.co.uk British Board of Film Classification, 3 Soho Square, London W1D 3HD bbfc.co.uk Contents President’s introduction 4 Chief Executive’s report 6 Accountability - Introduction 8 Accountability - Ratings info & resources 8 Accountability - Feedback from the public 9 Accountability - Education 10 Accountability - Research 11 Accountability - Enforcement 11 Age-verification 11 BBFC Online Voluntary Services 12 Music Videos 14 Mobile Network Operators 14 U Universal 15 PG Parental Guidance 19 12A Cinema/12 Home Entertainment 23 15 29 18 35 R18 39 Categories - Rejects 40 Video games and associated media 40 Legal issues 41 Statistics 42 Video Appeals Committee 46 Consultative Council 46 Advisory Panel on Children’s Viewing 46 Business review 47 Photographic credits 75 President’s introduction age classification has never been higher, with 97% of people saying they benefit from age ratings being in place. 91% of people (and 95% of teenagers) want consistent age ratings that they recognise from the cinema and DVD to apply to content accessed through VOD and streaming services, such as Amazon and Netflix. It is not just how people view content that is changing, but how people react to content also continues to shift over time. The BBFC’s consultation confirms that people feel a heightened sense of anxiety when it comes to depictions of ‘real world’ scenarios, which can cause particular issues for The core work of the BBFC remains classification decisions reflect public young people. Realistic contemporary the classification of cinema and sensibilities and expectations as scenarios showing terrorism, self- physical home entertainment content. these change over time and they harm, suicide and discriminatory However, we have recognised for consequently enjoy high (over behaviour are all concerns. several years that viewing is evolving 90%) levels of trust. In 2018, we and increasingly moving online. conducted our fifth large-scale Attitudes towards sexual threat There is a very strong public demand consultation to help inform our and sexual violence have moved for recognisable trusted guidance to latest guidelines. As with previous on since 2014 when our previous help people, parents and families in guidelines consultations, the guidelines were launched. Although particular, choose content that is right BBFC consulted more than 10,000 the BBFC already classifies such Patrick Swaffer - for them and avoid content that is members of the UK public on their content restrictively, people told us President not. They want, and need, the same views and viewing habits, including that certain depictions of rape in BBFC ratings that exist in cinemas perceptions of depictions of sexual particular should receive a higher and on DVDs to apply on Video on violence and discrimination, the rating. Our latest guidelines reflect Demand (VOD) platforms. It remains means of accessing content online these concerns. our duty to meet this demand and to and the value of age ratings and seek partnerships to achieve this aim. classification when choosing what to People also told us that they expect view. The consultation involved both the strongest sex references, New Classification Guidelines qualitative and quantitative research in particular those that use the and included adults and teenagers language of pornography, to be In January 2019, we launched our across the UK. classified at 18. latest Classification Guidelines. These came into effect on Thursday Since the last consultation in 2014, Because the BBFC’s Classification 28 February. Our guidelines reflect there has been an increase in the Guidelines are informed by such people’s opinions, as well as legal proportion of parents saying they large-scale public consultation, our requirements, expert advice and the check age ratings all or most of the ratings are shaped by the UK public. BBFC’s own experience. time for their children’s film viewing, Because we listen to what people not only for parents of children under want, our age ratings are trusted. No The BBFC’s extensive research 12, but notably also for parents of 12 other regulator engages in such an into public opinion ensures that to 14-year-olds. Indeed, demand for extensive consultation exercise. 4 President’s introduction It is encouraging to know that our It draws on existing resources that In drawing together media guidelines continue to have such the BBFC has produced as well as literacy and wider educational strong public support, that our wider BBFC research and expertise. considerations, in particular around ratings reflect the expectations of The new pack includes lesson plans, relationships, to help develop greater UK audiences, including parents and a teaching guide and activities that understanding of content and the families, and that the desire to see cover representations of sex and guidance that BBFC age ratings the guidance our ratings provide is relationships in films, decision- provide, this resource supports the growing. making and peer influence, and BBFC’s remit to help children and how the BBFC reflects public and families choose well. In particular, In particular, there is an teenager views. The resource also in common with all the educational overwhelmingly felt expectation includes advice on how to identify work that the BBFC undertakes, that the ratings the UK public know and deal with sensitive or harmful this new resource will help students and trust should be found online on content. engage with media safely and watch VOD and streaming services. We content that is appropriate for them. will continue to work with industry This is something that is reassuring to help ensure that our ratings are for parents as well. widely available on online services. More help for parents In November 2019, the BBFC launched the Parents’ Guide to Age Ratings, to help all parents and carers better understand age ratings and explain them to the children they care for. The detailed guide was launched to mark the BBFC’s new digital age rating symbols which have been designed with VOD and streaming services in mind. The guide explains our age ratings, how they are decided and what the category defining issues are that the BBFC looks out for. In addition to issues such as sex and violence, language and horror, the guide explains general considerations such as context, theme, tone and impact. When parents and children are considering what to watch, choosing well is important. Our age ratings are a valuable way to help, supporting good viewing habits and peace of mind. The Parents’ Guide to Age Ratings is free to download and is also available on the BBFC app. Educational resources for schools In September 2019, the BBFC launched a new, free resource for secondary schools. Making Choices: Sex, Relationships and BBFC Age Ratings has been designed in partnership with the PSHE Association and has been awarded their ‘Quality Mark’. 5 Chief Executive’s report I am delighted to present the 2019 important to display age ratings when BBFC Annual Report and Accounts. downloading or streaming a film online, and 92% of parents think it’s As the media landscape and important for VOD platforms to show approaches to media regulation the same type of age ratings they continue to evolve, our core mission would expect at the cinema or on remains clear: to help families and DVD and Blu-ray. This is confirmed by young people choose films, videos 94% of parents saying it’s important and websites that are right for them, to have consistent ratings across all whenever, wherever and however VOD platforms, rather than a variety they view them. of bespoke ratings systems. In 2019 we have grown our With the support of the Department innovative approaches to regulation for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport David Austin - and industry partnerships. We will (DCMS), the BBFC and the Video Chief Executive develop these initiatives further in Standards Council (VSC) published a 2020 as we continue to support the joint set of Best Practice Guidelines Government’s objective of making to help online platforms to provide innovative collaboration announced the UK the safest place for children consistent use of age ratings online. today by Netflix and the BBFC, but to be online. This includes recommending the more needs to be done.” consistent and more comprehensive Increasing our online role use of BBFC age labelling symbols I agree that more needs to be done. across all VOD services, including We continue to look at how we can Since 2008, we have been working ratings info, and mapping parental ensure more consistent use of our in partnership with the home controls to BBFC age ratings.