Digital TV News

BBC Three explores the science behind sex

Thursday 10 November, 2011

By Anthony Hill

Viewers might learn something from a season of sex programmes on BBC Three

Britain’s most respected broadcaster has a new line-up of shows inviting digital TV viewers to explore sex and relationships in greater detail than ever.

BBC Three has commissioned a season of programmes that will examine the complexities of sex and sexuality from a range of people’s perspectives - from the scientist and historian to the lap dancer and virgin.

Leading the pack is a three-part series called How Sex Works, combining real-life stories and cutting-edge technology to explain the science behind sex, exploring the physical and psychological changes that occur before, during and after love making.

Zai Bennett, BBC Three controller, said: “Sex is on all young adults’ minds and we hope this major new season will encourage our audience to look at it from a variety of viewpoints.”

“We aim to expose our viewers to a range of perspectives, some of which might be at odds with each other, but most importantly we want our viewers to watch these programmes and form their own opinions.”

Other programmes include Web Sex - Where’s the Harm?, in which ex-Hollyoaks star Nathalie Emmanuel (who played Sasha Valentine) looks at the internet’s effect on young people’s relationships, and Jeff Leach - Am I a Sex Addict?, the humorous yet heartfelt story of a man with more experience than most.

Coming Out Diaries is an observational documentary following the journeys of young people as they go through key moments of sexual discovery, while The Sex Stories That Changed Britain will look back at public scandals from the past 40 years and how attitudes towards sex have changed.

Samantha Anstiss, documentaries commissioning executive, said: “Many BBC Three viewers are well informed about sex, but I hope that programmes like How Sex Works, Coming Out Diaries and Am I a Sex Addict? will provide a fresh and unexpected point of view that is relevant to their lives.”

BBC Three is available on cable networks such as Virgin Media, as a satellite channel from Sky and on subscription-free services like Freeview and Freesat.

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