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Watchdog orders phone-ins review Watchdog orders phone-ins review
(20 minutes later)
A review of all phone-in programmes has been ordered by premium phone line regulator Icstis. A licensing regime for premium rate TV phone service providers is to be set up following complaints that viewers have been ripped-off.
The announcement came after Icstis met broadcasters following a series of problems with shows where viewers had been asked to ring in. Regulator Icstis met broadcasters to discuss allegations some shows did not give callers a chance of winning.
The regulator also said it would consider introducing a quality mark for competitions which met its standards. It has asked programme makers to carry out a thorough review of all current and forthcoming premium rate services.
Earlier, broadcaster Five suspended quiz shows using premium-rate services after an audit revealed "problems". Earlier, broadcaster Five suspended quiz shows using premium rate services after an audit revealed "problems".
There is no doubt that public trust and confidence in these services has been damaged Sir Alistair Graham Icstis chairman Concern centred on Five's show Brainteaser, made by Big Brother creators Endemol. Concern centred on Five's show Brainteaser, made by Big Brother creators Endemol.
Five's chief executive Jane Lighting apologised to viewers, saying she was "shocked and disappointed" that their standards had not been maintained. There is no doubt that public trust and confidence in these services has been damaged Sir Alistair Graham Icstis chairman Five's chief executive Jane Lighting apologised to viewers, saying she was "shocked and disappointed" that their standards had not been maintained.
Endemol issued a statement backing the suspension and saying it would work to rectify the situation.Endemol issued a statement backing the suspension and saying it would work to rectify the situation.
'Absolute priority' Following Thursday's meeting with broadcasters, producers and telephone service operators, Icstis chairman Sir Alistair Graham said a full review of services should be carried out as an "absolute priority".
Sir Alistair says programmes should be more transparentFollowing his meeting with broadcasters, Icstis chairman Sir Alistair Graham said he would be writing to broadcasters and their partners to make sure the review was carried out as an "absolute priority". He said the licensing regime could be introduced within three months.
He said a licensing regime for all premium rate service providers would be introduced within three months.
"There is 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," said Sir Alistair."There is 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," said Sir Alistair.
HAVE YOUR SAY I think phone-ins should be scrapped Megan, Exeter class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5723&edition=1&ttl=20070306111838">Send us your comments "It is in everyone's interest to ensure that services are reliable and trustworthy as well as entertaining and fun." "It is in everyone's interest to ensure that services are reliable and trustworthy as well as entertaining and fun."
Other measures announced were a systematic monitoring of premium phone services and the publication of clear rules on competitions.Other measures announced were a systematic monitoring of premium phone services and the publication of clear rules on competitions.
Icstis is already investigating four programmes - Richard and Judy on Channel 4, Saturday Kitchen on BBC One, and ITV shows The X Factor and Saturday Night Takeaway.
Allegations of irregularities include viewers being encouraged to enter competitions after the winners had been chosen.
Off airOff air
ITV's Saturday Night Takeaway is one show under scrutinyIcstis is already investigating six shows: Channel 4's Richard and Judy, the BBC's Saturday Kitchen and ITV programmes the X Factor, Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Soapstar Superstar and I'm A Celebrity.
Allegations of irregularities include viewers being encouraged to enter competitions after the winners had been chosen.
On Tuesday, ITV suspended all its premium-rate phone-in competitions and votes in a move which saw its quiz channel ITV Play taken off air.On Tuesday, ITV suspended all its premium-rate phone-in competitions and votes in a move which saw its quiz channel ITV Play taken off air.
Twelve MPs, led by the Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster, asked other broadcasters to follow the channel's lead in a Commons motion on Thursday morning. Industry magazine Broadcast said media analysts at Credit Suisse estimated the suspension could be costing the broadcaster £1.5m.
ITV1's Saturday Night Takeaway came under scrutiny, following reports that viewers were encouraged to enter a competition after the winners had been chosen.
Similar claims were earlier made about the You Say, We Pay quiz on Channel 4's Richard and Judy show.
The BBC's Saturday Kitchen is also being examined after viewers were asked to phone in to appear on the following week's programme, despite it being filmed just minutes after the live show.The BBC's Saturday Kitchen is also being examined after viewers were asked to phone in to appear on the following week's programme, despite it being filmed just minutes after the live show.
It was also found that X Factor viewers had been overcharged a total of £200,000 when phoning in to the ITV1 talent show.