Interactive TV fraud

[Dr B]

Perhaps a great marketing fraud...perhaps not (let us wait for the reports)

However, there is a smell of wrongdoing on phone-in type competitions and programmes like X-factor, Richard & Judy, I'm a celebrity, Saturday Kitchen....etc...etc.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

If found to be true, is an apology sufficient or is this comparable to some more serious forms of fraud? I don't know enough about this, and thus ask those who may have followed this more closely, or have more expertise in the area, to shed some light on the issue.... :(

[tkingdoll]

Obtaining money by deception by misleading viewers into calling a premium rate phone line even though the promised potential reward is not available. I call that fraud, but I suspect it won't result in anything more than a fine and a slapped wrist. There are strict rules that govern these phone-ins but not in law. Unless someone starts a class-action lawsuit, maybe.

Regarding the Richard and Judy thing, I was staggered by their response that to them, it makes no difference if the caller is chosen at the start or the end of the phone lines opening (they meant financially). To the callers, it makes all the difference in the world. Why would you call a phone line if you have zero chance of getting on the show? That they didn't take that into consideration when formulating their response speaks volumes.

These premium rate phone lines have been a cash cow for a while and are very open to exploitation. This will have been going on for a long time, it's interesting that it's been exposed now because more are more are tumbling out of the woodwork. Most people are not aware that phone vote shows like Pop Idol are fixed with block votes, for example (yes, that is a fact, and no, I can't reveal my sources :D). And pre-recorded shows with 'live' phone-ins are also common, particularly those very late night ones aimed at drunken revellers at 3am on a Saturday night.

TV is a very cynical medium, and the explosion of channels means that shows are fighting for new revenue streams in the wake of falling advertiser income and viewing figures. The phone lines have a two-fold effect, firstly to attract income (e.g for the production company, a charity, the phone line operating company, etc etc) and secondly in viewer loyalty, so they aren't going to go away, but they might die off for a while until viewer confidence is rebuilt.

[Admin]

Most people are not aware that phone vote shows like Pop Idol are fixed with block votes, for example (yes, that is a fact, and no, I can't reveal my sources :D).

I always thought that the 'winners' on these things, including game shows, are sorted out in advance. ???

Anyway, don't reveal your sources but you could tell us what they do. ;)

[Allo Allo]

I always thought that the 'winners' on these things, including game shows, are sorted out in advance. ???



What evidence to think that??? Or was it the same "gut feeling" I had too! ^-^ (just teasing!)

M

[Admin]

What evidence to think that??? Or was it the same "gut feeling" I had too! ^-^ (just teasing!)

M


A bloke in the pub told me.

So my belief was based on one of the most robust forms of evidence known to science. :P ;D