Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

Original poster

What rating would you go with

15 replies

WineLover600 · 02/05/2020 01:13

Hi, My DS 14 (Year 10) wants to watch a TV show that apparently “Everyone” is watching. I found the trailer from the networks YouTube channel, where it clearly says in the description that the show is not appropriate for anyone under age 18. I appreciate, that all parents are different but I am not comfortable with my son (at 14) watching 18 rated material.

I explained this to my son, who then said “but it’s a 15, not a 18”. He then goes onto the BBFCs Website and shows me the official BBFC rating and it generally is a 15. I am aware that my son is still technically underage to watch, but I don’t, personally, think a month early is going to harm him.

After a bit of research, I find out that unlike films and DVDs, TV networks are allowed to choice there own ratings and can “bump up” what the BBFC has given them (which I think is a bit silly)

Generally I would be happy with the BBFCs decision and leave it at that, however part of me thinks there is a reason the network has put 18 symbols on all the shows online material (trailers, Clips, Behind the Scenes, ect)

So what rating would you consider said TV show to be
YABU- BBFC (15)
YANBU- Networks (18)

OP posts:

Feelingpoorlysick · 02/05/2020 01:14

Which TV show?

peachesandclean · 02/05/2020 01:15

are you gonna tell us what it is

PrincessConsueIaBananaHammock · 02/05/2020 01:17

It really depends on the TV show.

Wanderlust21 · 02/05/2020 01:19

I think you might need to tell us the show.

Or watch it yourself first.

I mean if it is rated 18 because of strong language then that's not a big deal...but if there is say, violence against women then maybe an 18 us where it should be. I think if somewhere it us a 15 though, then it probably isnt that bad.

A lot of 18s would probably be ok for a 14 year old too tbh. Like if it's just fighting or something...

Original poster

WineLover600 · 02/05/2020 01:24

Sorry, the Show is Brassic on Sky/Now.

OP posts:

Wanderlust21 · 02/05/2020 01:30

Auch it'll be fine.

Comedies are normally alright.

He's 14 now so I'd only really be saying no to anything with sadism or sexual violence ect...

Tbh maybe drug taking too... but there was a ton of that in 'skins' and I would have watched that at his age.

It'll be fine. We cant baby them forever.

PrincessConsueIaBananaHammock · 02/05/2020 01:40

I'd say watch it for yourself and then decide, but from what I've read about it I wouldn't be happy with him watching it and I'm quite chilled about things like this.

BabyGirl66 · 02/05/2020 01:42

I love the show. While the show is definitely Borderlining the two ratings (Strong Drug use, lots of sex, lots of swearing ect), I personally think that the ridiculousness of the plots on the show is enough to lower it down to a 15. However you are the parent and you know your own kid best.

However While season 1 is BBFC 15, I suspect that season 2 will likely be a 18 as they have announced that 1 of the characters will be sexually assaulted, however the BBFC has not announced Season 2s rating so I can’t definitely say.

Ultimately, the best thing to do if your concerned would be to either a, watch it first or b, (which I think would be more appropriate), watch it with him where you can discuss the themes (because there are some really serious and thoughtful ones in it).

It’s good that a parent is showing interest in what there child is watching.

FiveOutOfFiveGoldblums · 02/05/2020 01:47

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/aug/11/joseph-gilgun-interview-brassic-this-is-england-preacher
Ooh I thought it looked interesting.

Louise24902 · 02/05/2020 01:56

They will probably have made it an 18 because it has nudity/strip clubs/ drugs in it. Personally I would have watched it at your sons age, and my mum would have been fine with it, although at that age she never really asked what I was watching and trusted my judgement although I was sensible this way and know that this is personal to every parent and child

Original poster

WineLover600 · 02/05/2020 02:21

I think I will watch an episode and then decide, I have seen it advertised and it does look fun. He does watch a lot of 15 rated comedies Gavin and Stacey, Friday Night Diner, Plebs (partly why he wants to watch this is because it also contains Ryan Sampson).

I does make me wonder why the Show was sent to the BBFC, if sky was going to straight up ignore the rating given. Thinking about it I feel that only the BBFC should be able to rate Programs as it becomes confusing for the parent if networks start to use there own rating, meaning there is multiple ratings. Could you imagine, if each individual cinema Manager was allowed to chose the rating for each film showing at a cinema. Some places it would be a 15, others 12a, others 18. Much simpler to have a independent legal body that uses the same standards across the bord. That way both children and parents know where they stand

OP posts:

Headbangersandmash · 02/05/2020 02:24

DVDs often contain extras (say commentary, cut scenes or interviews) that could bump up the rating

Original poster

WineLover600 · 02/05/2020 02:38

Yes, I am aware of that. However in this case the DVD has also been rated 15. So basically the show is 15 on DVD, but 18 VOD. Literally makes no sense.

OP posts:

Pelleas · 02/05/2020 02:43

If it's a recent film, the BBFC should have ratings guidance on their website.

IDMB also has 'parental' ratings guidance, usually quite specific in that it will tell you the exact number of times each swear word is used, and what you can and can't see in any scenes of sex, violence or drugs.

Pelleas · 02/05/2020 02:44

Sorry, IMDB that should be . (I'm pissed).

Flip