UK media regulator Ofcom has announced it will hold an inquiry into the “call TV crisis”, reports C21 Media. The issue is over TV shows that utilise premium SMS or premium calls for their viewers to interact with them, but adjust the situation to make better television. For example, one show called Brainteaser had fake players call in if no winner was found within an alloted time. Another show fiddled the system so that the winner was in the studio audience.
“The inquiry will be led by Ofcom content board non-exec Richard Ayre and will examine issues such as consumer protection, benefits and risks to broadcasters, and their respective editorial responsibilities and compliance.”
Premium-rate regulator ICSTIS is already studying individual cases involving the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five, and will feed its findings into Ofcom’s review.
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