UK music videos to be given movie-style age ratings online

Online music videos produced in the UK will now get age certificates by the BBFC.
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Music videos produced in the UK will now receive movie-style age ratings online, it has been confirmed. 

Following a recent trial by the government, labels Sony Music, Universal Music and Warner Music will send videos to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) before putting them on YouTube and Vevo.

The BBC reports that 132 music videos have already been submitted to the BBFC, with 56 being classified 12 and 53 rated as 15. The first and currently only to be given an 18 certificate is Dizzee Rascal's Couple Of Stacks for its "strong bloody violence", "very strong language" and "gore". 

Videos that have been rated as a 15 include Calvin Harris' Open Wide Jessie Ware's Meet Me in the Middle, both of which are described as having "sexual content".

These age ratings will only be applied to music videos produced in the UK, meaning international artists who cause controversy with their videos - as with Rihanna's recent Bitch Better Have My Money - won't be affected.

The newly enforced age stamps will appear on the webpage alongside the video, though any rated as an 18 won't automatically load in a browser window. 

Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the British Phonographic Industry, said: "Britain is a world leader in making exciting and original music, in part because our artists have a freedom to express themselves that we rightly cherish.

"While we must continue to uphold this principle, it is equally important that music videos are broadcast in a responsible way and that parents are given the tools to make more informed viewing decisions on behalf of their families."

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