U.K. Regulators Fine Adult Companies Over Content, Age Verification

LONDON — Regulators on Monday lowered the boom on two adult entertainment companies owned by British media mogul Richard Desmond, fining them about $80,000 over the lack of age-verification labels on websites and airing content that was too explicit for television.

Ofcom, which regulates online and broadcast content in the U.K., said Desmond-owned Portland Enterprises Limited was fined after a “Bathroom Bitches” was shown on Television X2 last September during the day hours.

Ofcom officials said an episode of “Bathroom Bitches” included scenes of a woman masturbating, earning the company a $42,000 fine. Television X2 includes primarily amateur content, including the “girl-next-door, U.K. housewives and suburban couples.

In the U.K., adult content operators can show encrypted programming only during the hours of 10 p.m.-5:30 a.m.

Another of Desmond’s properties, RHF Productions Limited, was fined more than $38,000 after its Red Hot services promoted websites without any age verification.

RHF Productions broadcast trailers over Red Hot TV, which included references to RHF's website address and a Portland Enterprises web address.

The websites featured content equivalent to R18-rated material, which could be viewed without registration, Ofcom said.

Ofcom also received complaints about explicit sexual content being shown during the daytime in promotional graphics on the Red Hot Channels.

The still pictures did not show any explicit content but did refer to URLs that led to websites containing explicit sexual material equivalent to R18-rated material, which could be seen by individuals under the age of 18.

"Licensees must ensure that they do not broadcast references to websites which give access to R18-rated equivalent material without appropriate protection," Ofcom said in a release.

Related:  

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Mia Macana Makes Her Adult Time Debut

Mia Macana has made her Adult Time debut alongside Cami Strella in the latest scene from studio imprint Transfixed, titled “Tonight's Not A Total Bust...”

SCREEN Act Stalls in Senate Committee Over Technicality

The Senate Commerce Committee on Wednesday voted to approve the SCREEN Act, which would mandate nationwide site-based age verification of users seeking to access adult content online, but a procedural issue blocked the bill from advancing to the full Senate.

DarkFans Adds Time-Limited Content Pricing

DarkFans has debuted its Configure Limits feature for automating content promotions.

Clips4Sale, Free Speech Coalition Partner for 'Creator Workflow' Webinar

Clips4Sale (C4S) and Free Speech Coalition (FSC) have partnered for a webinar titled “Organization & Workflow: Simple Systems for Busy Creators.”

Sophia Locke, Lexi Luna Lead Finale of 'MILF Performers of the Year 2026'

Reigning XMAs MILF Performer of the Year Sophia Lock stars with Lexi Luna and Isiah Maxwell in the final installment of Elegant Angel’s latest release, "MILF Performers of the Year 2026."

Pineapple Support, Streamate Partner for 'Self-Parenting' Support Group

Pineapple Support and Streamate are hosting a free online support group focused on self-care for performers, titled "Self-Parenting: Becoming Your Own Safe Space."

Nerds of Porn to Relaunch Site Through MyMember.site

Nerds of Porn is relaunching its membership site through MyMember.site on Aug. 14.

Krystal Sparks Fronts Latest Reality Junkies

Krystal Sparks stars with Jay Smooth in the latest scene from Mile High Media studio imprint Reality Junkies.

Yhivi, Lulu Chu Star in Latest From Brazzers

Yhivi stars with Lulu Chu in the studio's latest release, titled “Splish Splash Squirt.”

Show More