Media
Channel 4 is to stop using phone-in competitions in its programmes as part of its new policy on the use of premium rate phone services.
The launch of the new policy coincides with publication of the findings of an internal investigation into the You Say We Pay competition in Richard & Judy. Channel 4 chief executive, Andy Duncan, ordered the investigation after problems with the operation of You Say We Pay were revealed in the press in February.
The investigation has confirmed that problems with the competition date back to September 2004, as previously reported. It found no evidence that any member of staff at Channel 4 had any direct involvement in or knowledge of the improper handling of viewer calls.
With the exception of game show Deal or No Deal, Channel 4 has closed down all its premium rate competitions, and has decided to donate its share of future profits from the Deal or No Deal competition to charity with effect from August 13 when the programme returns for its next run.
Anne Bulford, Channel 4’s group finance director, who has overseen the investigation, said: "As a commercially funded public service broadcaster we’ve previously taken the view that premium rate competitions were a legitimate activity given the demand from viewers to take part. But public trust in these competitions has been severely undermined and we do not want to risk further our relationship with our viewers. The channel’s reputation is its most valuable asset and can only be protected by demonstrating that we place the highest priority on safeguarding the interests of our viewers and will take action if we find they have been let down."
In 2006 there were approximately 30 premium rate competitions in and around programmes on Channel 4 and its sister channels, with 2007 profit forecast for such competitions in the region of £3 million.
The channel will continue using phone voting in Big Brother but is only charging viewers sufficient to cover the cost of the call and any charitable donation.
New premium rate services on the channel will be subject to a new monitoring regime introduced by Channel 4 in March, which involves a third party law firm or consultants carrying out live audits of the operation of each service.
The launch of the new policy coincides with publication of the findings of an internal investigation into the You Say We Pay competition in Richard & Judy. Channel 4 chief executive, Andy Duncan, ordered the investigation after problems with the operation of You Say We Pay were revealed in the press in February.
The investigation has confirmed that problems with the competition date back to September 2004, as previously reported. It found no evidence that any member of staff at Channel 4 had any direct involvement in or knowledge of the improper handling of viewer calls.
With the exception of game show Deal or No Deal, Channel 4 has closed down all its premium rate competitions, and has decided to donate its share of future profits from the Deal or No Deal competition to charity with effect from August 13 when the programme returns for its next run.
Anne Bulford, Channel 4’s group finance director, who has overseen the investigation, said: "As a commercially funded public service broadcaster we’ve previously taken the view that premium rate competitions were a legitimate activity given the demand from viewers to take part. But public trust in these competitions has been severely undermined and we do not want to risk further our relationship with our viewers. The channel’s reputation is its most valuable asset and can only be protected by demonstrating that we place the highest priority on safeguarding the interests of our viewers and will take action if we find they have been let down."
In 2006 there were approximately 30 premium rate competitions in and around programmes on Channel 4 and its sister channels, with 2007 profit forecast for such competitions in the region of £3 million.
The channel will continue using phone voting in Big Brother but is only charging viewers sufficient to cover the cost of the call and any charitable donation.
New premium rate services on the channel will be subject to a new monitoring regime introduced by Channel 4 in March, which involves a third party law firm or consultants carrying out live audits of the operation of each service.
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