Summary
Call TV quiz shows are an example of television programmes
provided by commercial broadcasters in order to increase their revenue. The
viewer watches the live broadcast, then sends a text message or makes a premium
rate telephone call in order to take part, with the broadcaster keeping a
proportion of the call revenue.
The Culture Committee has been examining
whether regulation is required, as the programme format is similar to gambling,
and has come to the conclusion that Call TV quiz shows should constitute gaming
under the Gambling Act 2005. This Report,
'Call
TV Quiz Shows' (HC 72), presents their findings.
The
Committee states that there seems to be a lack of fairness and transparency
throughout the process - for example, players are generally not told that the
chances of getting through are very slim and the cost of calling is not always
made clear - and sets out recommendations as to how broadcasters and regulators
should address this.
The Committee states that a single body, Ofcom,
take responsibility for registering all complaints. Further recommendations
include:
- Operators should have voluntarily introduced practices
intended to help viewers who make repeated premium rate calls appreciate how
much they are spending
- Some assessment of the addiction to
participation in such shows should be undertaken
- Ofcom should make it
obligatory to have games verified with a third party and solutions lodged with
them to prevent underhand changes being made while the show is on air
- Ofcom should publish periodic reports on its monitoring of Call TV quiz
programmes
- Any practice of misleading viewers about call volumes or of
blocking of calls would be unfair and fraudulent and should be punished under
criminal law
- The Committee recommends that broadcasters should be
required to display some recent historical information about volume of incoming
calls, and the odds of being connected to the studio.
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