X-Rated: The TV They Tried To Ban

X-Rated: The TV They Tried to Ban was a 2005 British one-off television documentary examining controversial material on British television. It was first broadcast on Channel 4, at 10pm on Sunday 6 March 2005, as part of their "Banned" season, and was approx. 90 minutes long.

The TV They Tried to Ban highlighted examples of offensive language, sexually explicit content and disturbing images on television, and instances where they caused controversy or increased public tolerance of such material on television in Britain. However, by showing these incidents (often repeatedly), as well as some that were previously unseen on television, the documentary itself became notable as one of the most explicit programmes in British television history. However, Ofcom received only one complaint for "Offence" caused by the documentary, and did not uphold it because the programme contained sufficient warnings (before it began, at the end of each advert break, and even within the documentary itself). It has been repeated many times, mainly on digital sister channel E4.

It contained contributions from celebrities, media commentators, programme-makers and the critics of explicit broadcasts. Interviewees included Shaun Ryder, Caprice Bourret, Paul Ross, Stephen K Amos, Vince Powell, David Quantick, Garry Bushell and Charlie Parsons.

The TV They Tried to Ban was mainly light-hearted in its tone and narration, and implicitly suggested that 'Complainers' should not be so shocked by television programmes and should simply choose not to watch; perhaps the 'Complainers' are the "They" of the documentary's title. Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" was played during its closing credits, and the documentary seemed to be intended partly as entertainment (containing gross-out humour etc.), rather than a solemn debate.

The theme tune to the documentary was The Hives' "Hate to Say I Told You So".