RTE's raunchy new series Raw is proving too hot to handle for some viewers who have complained to the Broadcasting Complaints Commissioner about certain scenes.

The explicit new TV drama received a number of complaints over the week following graphic scenes broadcast last Monday night.

Now the BCC has contacted the national broadcaster about the complaints and is awaiting a response from RTE.

Monday night's episode reportedly received five objections from viewers to the national broadcaster and the BCC received one complaint.

figures

However, RTE have stated that the show is doing particularly well with its target demographic audience and last Monday night's viewing represented the highest to date for the series.

The episode in question featured a lesbian kiss and a full frontal scene between two men.

But a spokeswoman for RTE said that the show had a share of 15.3pc and an average audience of 222,000. "It also did particularly well its target demographic of 15-24 year olds attracting a share of 21.2pc and 17.5pc share of 15-34 year olds," said the spokeswoman.

"This shows that the story lines are appealing to the target audience.

"The series is building its audience base and the audience is increasing."

However, the spokeswoman refuted suggestions that the show used gratuitous sex scenes to attract viewers.

"It's not sex for the sake of sex," the spokeswoman said.

"The scenes are in line with the development of the characters' stories within the show."

The spokeswoman said that she believed the show on Monday did not cause huge offence as there were only five complaints received.

The six-part series is set in a fictitious Dublin restaurant and follows the lives and loves of the staff.

The series has already shown several graphic sex scenes and one incident where bodily fluids were served at the restaurant as part of a practical joke.

CENSORSHIP

Another spokesman at RTE said: "We wanted to address the reality of a group of twenty-somethings living in Ireland today and illustrate how their relationships work, all the ups and downs, and the drama that unfolds in their lives, and sex is an integral part of that."

The spokesman said that severe censorship was not brought into play.

"There was no such thing as 'no, you can't do that' or 'you can't leave that scene in'," he revealed.

"We all worked very closely together and we're very pleased with the result."

The series is written by Derry writer Lisa McGee and features a large ensemble cast of Irish and international actors.

PAT STEACY'S VIEW: SEE PAGE 40

- Claire Murphy