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Huge fine over TV quiz phone-in Huge fine over TV quiz phone-in
(10 minutes later)
The company behind the Richard and Judy premium rate telephone quiz scandal has been fined £150,000.The company behind the Richard and Judy premium rate telephone quiz scandal has been fined £150,000.
Premium rate services regulator Icstis imposed the penalty on Eckoh UK Ltd, after an investigation into the Channel 4 show. Premium rate services regulator Icstis imposed the record penalty on Eckoh UK Ltd after an investigation into the Channel 4 show.
It found viewers were urged to call the show's You Say, We Pay quiz after potential winners had been chosen. It found viewers were urged to call its You Say, We Pay quiz after potential winners had been chosen, showing a "reckless disregard" for TV viewers.
Icstis, which ruled the contest seriously misled viewers, is referring the case to media regulator Ofcom. Icstis is referring the case to media regulator Ofcom.
The watchdog has indicated it may wish to investigate the actions of the parties involved under the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.
Icstis also ordered a sanction to provide refunds to all those affected.
'Fundamental failings'
Icstis chairman Sir Alistair Graham said the size of the fine reflected the "very serious nature" of the breach of our Code of Practice.
"The hearing panel found clear evidence of fundamental failings in the winner selection process.
"Winners were being chosen before the competition closing deadline, whilst millions of additional viewers were still encouraged to phone in and pay to enter the competition but were denied the opportunity of fair consideration.
"Such reckless disregard for viewers is unacceptable. In this case, viewers were not only 'paying competition entrants' but also consumers who enjoy a high degree of consumer protection already provided by Icstis."
He added: "The public should be able to use these services with absolute confidence."
Icstis said that almost five million viewers entered the competition at a cost of £1 per call.
But 47% of calls were received after the shortlist of winners had already been chosen.
A Channel 4 spokesman said: "As the service provider, Eckoh is regulated by Icstis and its contract with Channel 4 set out clearly Eckoh's duty to ensure the competition was run in compliance with Icstis's code of practice and a clear obligation to alert us to any breaches or potential breaches of the code."