ITV suspends phone-ins
Updated on 05 March 2007
Broadcaster pulls ITV Play ahead of investigation into premium rate programmes.
This really is your last chance to get through.
In a few hours ITV Play will be pulled from the airwaves. That's because ITV has called in the accountants Delloite to launch an immediate investigation into all premium rate programming broadcast across its five channels.
Until the investigation has concluded, you won't be able to watch programmes like Dancing on Ice that relies on phone voting as a crucial element of the format.
Talking telephone numbers
1.3 million Number of X Factor viewers over charged using interactive TV
£36m How much ITV made from phone-ins, 2006
£20m Expected 2006 profits from ITV Play.
In a statement, ITV's chief operating officer said: "We believe that all programmes currently on air are compliant. However, in light of recent concern around this issue, something affecting every major broadcaster, we are conducting this independent review to ensure that ITV is meeting all relevant codes and regulations.
"We've asked the auditors to report back to us with some urgency."
The investigation comes just days after the broadcaster was forced to admit that it had over charged 1.3 million X Factor viewers who had voted using interactive TV. That mistake cost them £400,000 - but that's not a lot compared to how much the show makes the channel.
With falling advertising revenues affecting ITV's bottom line, the broadcaster has become increasingly reliant on revenue from premium rate phone calls.
With falling advertising revenues the broadcaster has become increasingly reliant on premium rate phone calls.
In 2005 ITV netted £36m a year from phone-ins. 2006's figures which are out on Wednesday are expected to show a profit of £20m from ITV Play alone.
ITV, who is the largest shareholder in ITN which makes Channel 4 News, has already had its knuckles wrapped. In January, it was criticised by a parliamentary committee for setting questions that had illogical answers.
And Channel 4's Richard and Judy show suspended its quiz after it emerged that callers were encouraged to phone in even when the winner had already been picked.
The BBC was forced to apologise when it was revealed that Saturday Kitchen Live and its phone-in, were actually pre-recorded.
ICKSTIS, the premium rate regulator is meeting with all leading broadcasters on Thursday in an attempt to restore consumer confidence in television phone ins. But the BBC and Channel 4 told us that they were not following ITV's lead in suspending progamming.
