This topic

BT TV Parental Pin

Saruya — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 18:38:38 GMT

How in the sam hill do I switch this off?

I've only just got BT TV setup today, and it's asking me for Parental Pin codes (yes, I know it's 1234 by default, and that works) for nearly all programmes. Even something benign as The Flash on SkyMax!

The BT help just states to go to the My Extras section of the My Products page, but no such option now exists, and it looks like there's no option to do so?

My wife and I are both in our late 40's, so I think we're adult enough to handle the worst that Barry Allen and the rest of the Star Labs team have to face, without having our minds warped, thank you very much.

Furthermore, getting asked to input a pin for nearly every television programme is extremely annoying.

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

zulu17 — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 19:15:19 GMT

Hi @Saruya

Under the OFcom Broadcasing Code a broadcaster can decide to use mandatory daytime protection requiring the PIN to be entered each time the viewer accesses content. So in the example of the Flash on Sky Max today at 5pm (pre watershed) that particular episode series 3 episode 14 has the guidance FOR ADULTS ONLY in the EPG guide.

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

Saruya — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 01:02:44 GMT

If this is completely unavoidable, it's precisely the sort of thing that will have me cancel BT TV and go back to Sky.

It's utterly frustrating, and makes using BT TV completely horrific.

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

zulu17 — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 18:29:39 GMT

Well @Saruya it would be Sky that have opted to use Mandatory Daytime Protection to allow it to broadcast material that it would not otherwise transmit before the watershed on channels such as Sky Max. So the BT TV box would be simply applying the mandatory PIN protection based upon the metadata provided.

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

Neilyboy72 — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 17:37:13 GMT

If that logic applies, why doesn’t SKY ask you for a mandatory PIN if you watch on SKYQ?

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

zulu17 — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 18:18:29 GMT

@Neilyboy72 If you have issues or concerns about PIN protection of live channels on Sky Q then you would need to take up with them or with OFcom. issue has I believe been raised several times on Skys own community.

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

DarrenK98 — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:45:56 GMT

@Neilyboy72 But Sky Q does require a pin for certain content pre-watershed. I've been prompted for the pin when watching Sky Comedy on Sky Q before.

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

Neilyboy72 — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 19:41:48 GMT

Good to know! But I believe they allow you to switch it off, next door have SKYQ as have my folks and they never get asked for a PIN pre water shed…

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

zulu17 — Mon, 06 Dec 2021 20:17:49 GMT

For example @Neilyboy72

https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-TV/Is-there-any-way-I-can-turn-this-damn-parental-control-off/ba-p/2760207

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

ayapaduz — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 17:38:12 GMT

Did anyone actually get an answer to "How do I turn off BT TV Parental Controls"? I don't care why they're there, I just want them gone. Is is possible yes/no? If yes, how ?

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

DarrenK98 — Mon, 31 Jan 2022 18:53:26 GMT

No, you can't turn off the pin requirement for pre-watershed content as it is required by Ofcom.

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

Mala2981 — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 20:28:21 GMT

Having this very nightmare myself... Support so g and danced me for 40mins and still I gave up exasperated going round and round has anyone figured this out my brain is numb trying now and I will have to cancel if I can't sort it. This is enough to drive me insane.. my family have but and have no such issues.

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

garybs29 — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 09:30:50 GMT

@Mala2981wrote:
Having this very nightmare myself... Support so g and danced me for 40mins and still I gave up exasperated going round and round has anyone figured this out my brain is numb trying now and I will have to cancel if I can't sort it. This is enough to drive me insane.. my family have but and have no such issues.

If you've read the thread you'll see it's an ofcom directive so there's no way it can be turned off

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

grajay — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 06:31:49 GMT

This is crazy - I have to enter a parental control to watch the News? Really? Madness. Box is going back and I'll go back to Sky!

Re: BT TV Parental Pin

zulu17 — Mon, 10 Oct 2022 08:45:22 GMT

Hi @grajay ,

which news broadcast (time and channel) was requiring you to enter a PIN .

It would be unusual that a news broadcast would demand one unless the channel was broadcasting a recorded program eg a documentary that was rated. Eg I think Now Sky News sometimes does programming with rating settings eg Chaos in Kabul: Escaping the Taliban which they rate as 15.

I believe that if you were watching the same programme on the free to air Sky News channel you would not be required to enter a PIN.