Why are soaps exempt from the watershed?

[d9f1c7]

http://news.sky.com/h...news/article/16201023
Surely caving someones head in with a hammer is post watershed stuff. So why are the soaps exempt? On the few occasions I have accidentally caught a bit of one of the main soaps I've often thought they should be on late (if at all!). What does it say about the masses that this appalling drivel is so popular?

[Zeuhl]

<<is there a point of a watershed? >>

good question

the main argument is that when tuning into the main (regulated) broadcast channels one should know what to expect
ie sitting down to watch something at 7.00 pm with your maiden aunt or young children should not put you at risk of what could be an awkward situation

[anotheoldgit]

Zeuhl

/// it's really not that complicated ///

Apparently even to a smart Alec like you, 'it is'.

Your seemingly interpretations of what I typed, have nothing whatsoever to do with what I was putting across.

[Zeuhl]

Old Git

your failure to communicate or explain yourself properly is not my responsibility - it is yours

Why don't you try again

instead of name-calling like a Big Person's Blouse!

[Davethedog]

Zehul I agree, I don't watch soaps, but is the depiction of violent crime acceptable before 9pm? It comes down to what is acceptable in society.

[Zeuhl]

dave

According to Ofcom, the watershed on free-to-air television in the UK is between 21:00 and 05:30.

There should be a gentle transition to adult material and 18-rated content must not air until 22:00 on most channels that are without PIN protection.

There was a case in 2008 when Eastenders were had up for a pub brawl scene that was considered too graphic

[craft1948]

I don't know any teenagers who watch soaps................

[Davethedog]

When I was a kid the word "bloody" and other soft swear words were unacceptable now they say them on kids shows. Nudity never, inffered violence, ok, visual violence no. Then came Bouquet of Barb wire

TV constatly, pushes boundaries 3 steps forward 2 steps back.

[Zeuhl]

<<TV constatly, pushes boundaries>>

yes - i love it.

Personally, i don't think the momentum from the liberation of the 60s or 70s; Play for Today, Dennis Potter, Bouquet etc has continued.

The boundary pushing on mainstream tv is much more gradual now.

[mushroom25]

while we're on the subject of soaps "trying to show some degree of true to life stories....", why is it that the police are invariably portrayed as brainless numpties?

seems to me that the only "justice" in soaps is meted out by the locations' hard men, such as phil mitchell.