The season was commissioned by James Hindle, the channel's factual entertainment commissioning editor, and announced in July 2006. It was to consist of three films broadcast in the 11pm slot, headlined by a documentary on mass public masturbation. This kind of programming was not unprecedented: the Channel had previously screened a 'Penis Week', reportedly described by MacKenzie as a "success" in a "Guardian" article. He continued on the subject of Wank Week, "we feel this is exactly the type of provocative and mischievous programming that Channel 4 should be covering in the 11pm slot". In the United Kingdom, the 11pm slot is considered post-watershed, defined by the regulator Ofcom in the Broadcasting Code as later than 9pm (although transition to more adult material "must not be unduly abrupt at the watershed or after the time when children are particularly likely to be listening" according to section 1.6). This allows the broadcasting of more sexually explicit content.