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08/05/2008
Ofcom Hits ITV With Record Fine
Ofcom have fined ITV £5.67 million for breaching codes of conduct in relation to viewer phone-ins.
The record fine follows an investigation by the regulator into the broadcaster's most popular shows.
Ofcom said in a statement: "Ofcom has informed ITV plc this morning that it is imposing a fine totalling £5,675,000 for some of the most serious breaches of Ofcom's Broadcasting Code concerning the abuse of premium rate services (PRS) in its programming."
"The fine, which is by far the highest imposed by Ofcom or any of the previous regulators, reflects not only the seriousness of ITV's failures but also their repeated nature."
ITV has pledged an additional £7.8m for viewer compensation and to charity.
Ofcom's investigation studied information voluntarily supplied by ITV from its review by Deloitte and material obtained by Ofcom in its own investigations.
Among the programmes found in breach of codes were Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Soapstar Superstar.
In addition I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! And People's Court were found to be in breach of Ofcom's Broadcasting Code but no sanctions were imposed.
Ofcom also imposed £2m on GMTV in September last year.
The regulator is currently investigating breaches in the British Comedy Awards (2004 and 2005) broadcast on ITV, The Secret Sound competition broadcast on a number of GCap radio stations and a number of BBC radio and television programmes. Results will be published in the coming weeks.
Ofcom, established in 2002, is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.
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The record fine follows an investigation by the regulator into the broadcaster's most popular shows.
Ofcom said in a statement: "Ofcom has informed ITV plc this morning that it is imposing a fine totalling £5,675,000 for some of the most serious breaches of Ofcom's Broadcasting Code concerning the abuse of premium rate services (PRS) in its programming."
"The fine, which is by far the highest imposed by Ofcom or any of the previous regulators, reflects not only the seriousness of ITV's failures but also their repeated nature."
ITV has pledged an additional £7.8m for viewer compensation and to charity.
Ofcom's investigation studied information voluntarily supplied by ITV from its review by Deloitte and material obtained by Ofcom in its own investigations.
Among the programmes found in breach of codes were Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Soapstar Superstar.
In addition I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! And People's Court were found to be in breach of Ofcom's Broadcasting Code but no sanctions were imposed.
Ofcom also imposed £2m on GMTV in September last year.
The regulator is currently investigating breaches in the British Comedy Awards (2004 and 2005) broadcast on ITV, The Secret Sound competition broadcast on a number of GCap radio stations and a number of BBC radio and television programmes. Results will be published in the coming weeks.
Ofcom, established in 2002, is the regulator for the UK communications industries, with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications and wireless communications services.
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09 May 2008
ITV Presenters Hand Back Award
Presenters Ant and Dec will return their television comedy award after it was revealed that they didn't actually win it. It has been a week of disgrace for ITV with a record fine of £5.68 million being handed down to the broadcaster yesterday by regulator Ofcom.
ITV Presenters Hand Back Award
Presenters Ant and Dec will return their television comedy award after it was revealed that they didn't actually win it. It has been a week of disgrace for ITV with a record fine of £5.68 million being handed down to the broadcaster yesterday by regulator Ofcom.
17 June 2010
World Cup Complaints Soar At Ofcom
The UK's communications regulator has now received over 750 complaints regarding a broadcasting glitch that saw 1.5 million fans miss England's goal in the World Cup match against the USA on Saturday. Ofcom reported that the total number of complaints to ITV has reached almost 6,000.
World Cup Complaints Soar At Ofcom
The UK's communications regulator has now received over 750 complaints regarding a broadcasting glitch that saw 1.5 million fans miss England's goal in the World Cup match against the USA on Saturday. Ofcom reported that the total number of complaints to ITV has reached almost 6,000.
24 August 2010
ITV Cleared Over World Cup Goal
ITV has been cleared by Ofcom over an "unfortunate error" which led to HD viewers missing England's opening goal of the World Cup. In June, the media regulator received 823 complaints after coverage of England's first World Cup match against the USA on ITV1's high definition channel was interrupted by an unscheduled advert break.
ITV Cleared Over World Cup Goal
ITV has been cleared by Ofcom over an "unfortunate error" which led to HD viewers missing England's opening goal of the World Cup. In June, the media regulator received 823 complaints after coverage of England's first World Cup match against the USA on ITV1's high definition channel was interrupted by an unscheduled advert break.
25 September 2008
Plans For ITV To Reduce Public Service Broadcasts
ITV's obligations as a public service broadcaster to provide regional programmes, including news bulletins could be relaxed under proposals by broadcasting watchdog Ofcom. ITV1 programmes made outside of London could be reduced from 50% to 35%.
Plans For ITV To Reduce Public Service Broadcasts
ITV's obligations as a public service broadcaster to provide regional programmes, including news bulletins could be relaxed under proposals by broadcasting watchdog Ofcom. ITV1 programmes made outside of London could be reduced from 50% to 35%.
21 November 2006
ITV rejects merger approach by NTL
The Board of ITV has rejected a merger proposal from NTL as one with "little strategic logic." In a statement, the Board said it believed that "whereas there is obvious appeal to NTL in gaining control of ITV's substantial and successful business, from ITV's perspective there is little, if any, strategic logic for ITV to combine with NTL.
ITV rejects merger approach by NTL
The Board of ITV has rejected a merger proposal from NTL as one with "little strategic logic." In a statement, the Board said it believed that "whereas there is obvious appeal to NTL in gaining control of ITV's substantial and successful business, from ITV's perspective there is little, if any, strategic logic for ITV to combine with NTL.
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