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Viewers 'lose millions' to GMTV Viewers 'lose millions' to GMTV
(about 2 hours later)
Callers to premium-rate phone competitions on the GMTV breakfast show have been defrauded out of millions of pounds, a BBC investigation has found.Callers to premium-rate phone competitions on the GMTV breakfast show have been defrauded out of millions of pounds, a BBC investigation has found.
Panorama found a company working for GMTV had been finalising shortlists of potential winners "long before" phone lines closed, for the past four years. Panorama found that for the past four years, a company working for GMTV had been finalising shortlists of potential winners "long before" lines closed.
GMTV has moved to suspend all phone-in quizzes, but said it was confident it had not breached regulators' codes. GMTV has suspended all phone-in quizzes but said it was confident it had not breached regulators' codes.
The phone operator, Opera Interactive Technology, denied any wrongdoing.The phone operator, Opera Interactive Technology, denied any wrongdoing.
Panorama said tens of thousands of callers have been paying £1.80 a time to enter the competition - but as many as half had no chance of winning. Panorama said tens of thousands of callers had been charged £1.80 to enter competitions on GMTV - but as many as half had no chance of winning.
The programme estimated that since 2003 callers had wasted £45,000 a day - or £10m a year - entering competitions where Opera had finalised shortlists of potential winners before phone lines closed. INVESTIGATION IN NUMBERS £1.80 - cost to enter competition£45,000 - estimated amount wasted on phone-ins each day£10m - estimated amount wasted on phone-ins each year4 - number of years alleged fraud has been happeningSource: Panorama, BBC The programme estimated that since 2003, callers had wasted a total of £45,000 a day - or £10m a year - entering the competitions.
GMTV presenters Penny Smith and John Stapleton told viewers on Monday: "GMTV knew nothing of this and is shocked to hear of these allegations. GMTV presenters Penny Smith and John Stapleton read out a statement to viewers on Monday.
"GMTV knew nothing of this and is shocked to hear of these allegations," they said.
"We are investigating further but do anticipate bringing our competitions back as soon as possible.""We are investigating further but do anticipate bringing our competitions back as soon as possible."
GMTV added that its competitions were being run in accordance with the codes of telecoms regulator Ofcom and premium rate watchdog Icstis. GMTV added that its competitions were being run in accordance with the codes of broadcasting regulator Ofcom and premium rate phone line watchdog Icstis.
Icstis says it is "chasing" Panorama's producers for their evidence before deciding whether to launch an investigation into the claims.Icstis says it is "chasing" Panorama's producers for their evidence before deciding whether to launch an investigation into the claims.
Independent reviewIndependent review
Panorama also alleged Opera sales director Mark Nuttall had discovered what was going on in 2003 and sent an e-mail to staff, saying: "Make sure they never find out you are picking the winners early."Panorama also alleged Opera sales director Mark Nuttall had discovered what was going on in 2003 and sent an e-mail to staff, saying: "Make sure they never find out you are picking the winners early."
To find out that I wasn't [in with a chance] makes me really angry and I want my money back Samantha Pedder To find out that I wasn't [in with a chance] makes me really angry and I want my money back Samantha PedderViewer
But Opera has denied any wrongdoing. Panorama said it had put its allegations to Opera, who said it was investigating. Mr Nuttall has denied any knowledge of the early picking of winners or that he tried to cover it up.
It said it had conducted a preliminary investigation into the findings, and said there was "not a shred of truth" in any of the allegations. GMTV has also conducted an independent review, through Deloitte, and said it was "confident" that "no finalists are being selected before lines closed".
Panorama said Ofcom has launched a formal investigation following a complaint against GMTV and Opera. But Ofcom has not confirmed that it is related to the same issue.Panorama said Ofcom has launched a formal investigation following a complaint against GMTV and Opera. But Ofcom has not confirmed that it is related to the same issue.
In a statement, GMTV said the Panorama investigation had uncovered "certain irregularities" in the way Opera had managed its interactive services but GMTV had not been aware of these irregularities.
GMTV said it had conducted an independent review last month, through Deloitte, of its and Opera's interactive systems and processes.
"This review has now been completed and we feel confident, on the basis of Deloitte's findings and our own research, that our competitions are being operated fully in accordance with the codes and that no finalists are being selected before lines have closed," GMTV said.
ITV said GMTV was a separate company and declined to comment further.
Really angry
Samantha Pedder, 37, from Saffron Walden, told Panorama: "I've spent near on £1,000, but you think, 'Well I'm in with a chance'.Samantha Pedder, 37, from Saffron Walden, told Panorama: "I've spent near on £1,000, but you think, 'Well I'm in with a chance'.
"To find out that I wasn't makes me really angry and I want my money back.""To find out that I wasn't makes me really angry and I want my money back."
The claims made by Panorama are the latest in a series of allegations concerning the use by TV broadcasters of premium-rate phone lines to raise revenue. Blue Peter claims
The claims made by Panorama are the latest in a series of allegations concerning the use of premium-rate phone lines by TV companies.
HAVE YOUR SAY The quality of television is so poor now they have to rely on things such as phone-ins to raise revenue and get the viewer more involved so they don't switch off Mark, Hednesford, UK Send us your comments
The BBC programme also explores similar controversies over a competition run on the Richard and Judy Show and Blue Peter.The BBC programme also explores similar controversies over a competition run on the Richard and Judy Show and Blue Peter.
Blue Peter recently apologised because a member of the show's production team asked a girl visiting the studio to pose as the winning contestant in a phone-in competition because of a "technical problem".Blue Peter recently apologised because a member of the show's production team asked a girl visiting the studio to pose as the winning contestant in a phone-in competition because of a "technical problem".
Panorama claims the show's editor Richard Marson commended the researcher for their initiative, despite having rebuked them shortly after the show came off the air.
The BBC denies the allegation, and says Mr Marson had merely acknowledged during a team meeting that the mistake "was not made with malicious intent".
Panorama: TV's Dirty Secrets can be seen on BBC One at 2030 BST on Monday 23 AprilPanorama: TV's Dirty Secrets can be seen on BBC One at 2030 BST on Monday 23 April
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