The Nine Network is in trouble with the federal communications watchdog for incorrectly classifying some episodes of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares and Underbelly.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has found that Channel Nine South Australia, WIN Television Victoria and Swan Television and Radio Broadcasters in Western Australia breached the code due to coarse language and sex contained in the programs.
It found that three episodes of each program should have been classified MA (mature audience) instead of M (mature)
"ACMA is particularly concerned about the number of programs that were incorrectly classified and is discussing serious remedial action with the Nine Network, which provided and classified the programs and with the WIN Television licences," ACMA chairman Chris Chapman said.
ACMA said the episodes of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's show had multiple instances of coarse language, while Underbelly episodes contained depictions of "implied or simulated sexual behaviour" and one had very aggressive coarse language.
"ACMA's options for responding to the breaches of the code include imposing additional conditions on the licences that would require programs to be correctly classified," ACMA said in a statement.
The watchdog's ruling comes just a couple of months after ACMA found Channel Nine breached the code over another episode of Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares.
ACMA is investigating a number of complaints about the TV show featuring foul-mouthed chef Gordon Ramsay.
The watchdog will consider appropriate action once all the investigations are complete.
