New rules for participation TV programmes

Icstis yesterday said it will introduce new rules to make sure that people who take part in participation TV programmes are not ripped off.

Following the recent spate of serious allegations made against a number of television programmes such as Channel 4's Richard and Judy and the BBC's Saturday Kitchen, Sir Alistair Graham, the premium rate line regulator's chairman, said yesterday his priority was to ensure viewers got a "fair deal".

The type of incidents that Sir Alistair was referring to included allegations that viewers of Richard and Judy were encourage to enter an SMS competition despite the fact the winners had already been selected.

Also in the hot seat was the BBC's Saturday Kitchen for allegedly misleading viewers by mistakenly giving the impression the show was live and ITV's X Factor for allegedly overcharging viewers to called in to vote.

Channel 5 has also had to apologise after it emerged that production company Endemol UK, maker of Big Brother, had failed to follow procedure when making quiz show Brainteaser.

Sir Alistair said he believed the recent problems were more a case of broadcasters being "sloppy" over how they run premium-rate lines rather than an indication of any "conspiracy".

But in order to make sure the same problems do not arise again, Icstis held talks with broadcasters and producers yesterday. The watchdog has given the broadcasting industry until 24 March in which to deliver a comprehensive review of their participation TV programming.

The new measures will include systematic monitoring of broadcasters for any breach of its code of practice or unfair practices and a licensing regime for premium rate service providers.

As well as setting up the monitoring system broadcasters must also publish competition rules in a "complete, accurate and easily understood" format, including putting these on their websites.

A new licensing regime will be put in place for premium-rate service providers within three months, defining responsibility for their operation. Icstis is also considering an industry-wide "trustmark" for such services, in order to help build public trust in participation TV.

Sir Alistair said: “There is no doubt that the public thoroughly enjoys taking part in premium rate competitions and votes on television. However, there is equally no doubt that public trust and confidence in these services has been damaged by the allegations that have been made in the last few weeks.

“It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that services are reliable and trustworthy as well as entertaining and fun. Ensuring viewers get a fair deal is ICSTIS’ absolute priority.

"However, responsibility for achieving this does not just rest with us. Premium rate service providers, programme makers and broadcasters all have a major role to play in this area, and I am pleased that everyone present today wholeheartedly supports this view.”