FOXTEL has shown too much sex and nudity in several shows, and has been told it will now have to stop showing R-rated programs.

In the first case of its kind concerning an Australian pay TV provider, Foxtel told the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) it would hire a "full-time classifier" to examine programs before they go to air after it was found that it breached regulatory code several times in the past year.

Earlier this year, Foxtel programs Cathouse, The Wonderful World of Sex and Naked Wild On were found to have had too much "sexual content and/or nudity" for an MA15+ rating.

Cathouse, which is a documentary-style series about the goings-on inside a US brothel, was found to have presented several sexual acts in a way that "is not simulated".

"Depictions include scenes of obscured sexual activity ... including fellatio, rear entry intercourse and cunnilingus," the ACMA report into program said.

"The documentary context and style in which the scenes are filmed and presented implies that the sexual activity is not simulated and viewing impact of these are high."

Two episodes of The Wonderful World of Sex was also found to contain "sexual activity that is high in viewing impact".

Two episodes of Naked Wild On featured a high level of nudity, ACMA found. One also contained a high level of sexual elements.

Foxtel said that as well as hiring its own classifier, it would send programmers to "Classification Training" once a year and provide any complaints it receives to ACMA.

ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said the breaches were serious and was happy that Foxtel has taken action.

"The ACMA considers classification-related breaches which are at the upper threshold of what may be broadcast on Australian television as particularly serious," Mr Chapman said.

"While recognising the challenges faced by Foxtel in providing a large number of channels to consumers, the ACMA has particular concerns about the contractual arrangements licensees have in place for the classification of programming."

Source: http://www.news.com.au/