Menu
09/05/2008
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.
The Catherine Tate Show should have been the winner for the People's Choice Award, according to an independent report.
Olswang, a law firm based in London, said: "Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway was wrongly announced as the winner of the People's Choice Award. The correct winner was The Catherine Tate Show which, at the time of the announcement of the winner, had attracted the most votes."
The report revealed that British Comedy Awards organisers wished to seal the attendance of singer Robbie Williams who would be happy to present the award "if recipients were Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly".
However, at the time Williams was given the assurance that the comic duo would win, the winner was still unknown and "dependant upon the public vote".
However, the report added that "it could not be concluded that this was the reason why the wrong winner was announced".
ITV revealed the deceit as part of the statement responding to the fine which Ofcom say is "by far the highest imposed".
The broadcaster said said in response to the fine: "We welcome Ofcom's recognition of the 'wide ranging and timely' steps voluntarily undertaken by ITV. ITV has gone further than any other broadcaster in instigating an independent, systematic and comprehensive investigation into all allegations around premium rate services in its programmes.
"We believe that Ofcom's scrutiny of the evidence we provided will reassure viewers and rebuild the public's trust in ITV.
"It is clear that these serious breaches of trust were evidence of gross editorial errors of judgement designed, mistakenly, to enhance the viewer experience. In no case is there evidence that there were any corrupt attempts to generate further revenues."
ITV said it would reimburse viewers to a total of £7.8 million, which "is almost double the amount ITV actually received from the calls".
A spokesperson for Ant and Dec said that the revelation "was a surprise to them" and that they would be returning the award.
Actress Catherine Tate has not released a statement.
See: Ofcom Hits ITV With Record Fine
(DS)
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.
The Catherine Tate Show should have been the winner for the People's Choice Award, according to an independent report.
Olswang, a law firm based in London, said: "Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway was wrongly announced as the winner of the People's Choice Award. The correct winner was The Catherine Tate Show which, at the time of the announcement of the winner, had attracted the most votes."
The report revealed that British Comedy Awards organisers wished to seal the attendance of singer Robbie Williams who would be happy to present the award "if recipients were Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly".
However, at the time Williams was given the assurance that the comic duo would win, the winner was still unknown and "dependant upon the public vote".
However, the report added that "it could not be concluded that this was the reason why the wrong winner was announced".
ITV revealed the deceit as part of the statement responding to the fine which Ofcom say is "by far the highest imposed".
The broadcaster said said in response to the fine: "We welcome Ofcom's recognition of the 'wide ranging and timely' steps voluntarily undertaken by ITV. ITV has gone further than any other broadcaster in instigating an independent, systematic and comprehensive investigation into all allegations around premium rate services in its programmes.
"We believe that Ofcom's scrutiny of the evidence we provided will reassure viewers and rebuild the public's trust in ITV.
"It is clear that these serious breaches of trust were evidence of gross editorial errors of judgement designed, mistakenly, to enhance the viewer experience. In no case is there evidence that there were any corrupt attempts to generate further revenues."
ITV said it would reimburse viewers to a total of £7.8 million, which "is almost double the amount ITV actually received from the calls".
A spokesperson for Ant and Dec said that the revelation "was a surprise to them" and that they would be returning the award.
Actress Catherine Tate has not released a statement.
See: Ofcom Hits ITV With Record Fine
(DS)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
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.
13 May 2004
SMG settles differences with ITV over digital rights
Following the recent sale of the Scottish Media Group's (SMG) 25% GMTV stake to ITV plc, the two companies have reached an agreement on the use of the ITV brand name and the use by ITV plc of SMG's digital spectrum in Scotland.
SMG settles differences with ITV over digital rights
Following the recent sale of the Scottish Media Group's (SMG) 25% GMTV stake to ITV plc, the two companies have reached an agreement on the use of the ITV brand name and the use by ITV plc of SMG's digital spectrum in Scotland.
30 October 2009
New Look For ITN
ITV News will unveil a new look across all of its national programmes from Monday, which will be supported by a major on and off-air marketing campaign promoting news throughout the schedule.
New Look For ITN
ITV News will unveil a new look across all of its national programmes from Monday, which will be supported by a major on and off-air marketing campaign promoting news throughout the schedule.
08 May 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 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.
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.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
