ICSTIS, the British premium rate services regulator, has today imposed its highest ever fine of £150,000 (ca. 222.000 €) on “You Say, We Pay”-service provider Eckoh UK Ltd. It has also ordered a sanction to provide refunds to all those affected. The sanction is suspended whilst consideration is given to whether or not the Channel 4/Eckoh refund scheme operates in accordance with ICSTIS code requirements.

The sanctions have been imposed after ICSTIS ruled that the competition, featured on Channel 4’s Richard and Judy programme, seriously misled viewers by actively encouraging them to enter the competition after the potential winners had already been selected.

Announcing the record fine, ICSTIS Chairman Sir Alistair Graham said: “The size of the fine reflects 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 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.

There is no doubt that the public thoroughly enjoys taking part in premium rate competitions andvotes on television. However, as well as being entertaining and fun, services should be reliable and trustworthy. Consumer protection should be at the heart of television rather than a broadcasting philosophy of ‘the show must go on’. The public should be able to use these services with absolute confidence. Consumers must get a fair deal. “

Posted on July 6th, 2007 by lbraum
Filed under: UK, Call-In TV