JF
GMTV have said that they are launching an investigtion and didn't know that this hads happened, live on air.
RD
I've just seen this story on the news and I was shocked to hear that Opera Telecom were behind GMTV's competitions.
Two years ago I sued Opera for £10,000 over a web-based text entry competition advertised via sites like MutualPoints etc. They promised an "instant win" of a "guaranteed" £10,000 cash to the first person who texted the correct answer to a very difficult question. After a great deal of research I found the correct answer, but was texted back to say it was the wrong answer. It turned out that three other people had also texted in the correct answer, but Opera also told them the same thing, and left the competition running, charging £1 per text.
In court they said it was all down to a "fault" with their systems, and there was no deliberate intention to deceive (utter rubbish in my opinion - it was just one massive fraud and they knew it). However I won the case and I got my £10,000 plus costs, after a great deal of stress and hassle.
I thought Opera were an extremely dubious operation and couldn't believe it when I just heard they were running services for GMTV!
Two years ago I sued Opera for £10,000 over a web-based text entry competition advertised via sites like MutualPoints etc. They promised an "instant win" of a "guaranteed" £10,000 cash to the first person who texted the correct answer to a very difficult question. After a great deal of research I found the correct answer, but was texted back to say it was the wrong answer. It turned out that three other people had also texted in the correct answer, but Opera also told them the same thing, and left the competition running, charging £1 per text.
In court they said it was all down to a "fault" with their systems, and there was no deliberate intention to deceive (utter rubbish in my opinion - it was just one massive fraud and they knew it). However I won the case and I got my £10,000 plus costs, after a great deal of stress and hassle.
I thought Opera were an extremely dubious operation and couldn't believe it when I just heard they were running services for GMTV!
IS
Ofcom guidelines end impossible questions:
http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,,2063753,00.html
and page 9 of: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/prog_cb/obb83/issue83.pdf
http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,,2063753,00.html
and page 9 of: http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/prog_cb/obb83/issue83.pdf
TV
I caught the on-air apology, and can only say it stank of the usual injured innocence. If Ofcom rules are supposed to end impossible questions, how did Glitterball's "girl's names" wordsearch slip through the net?
goldfish97 posted:
GMTV have said that they are launching an investigtion and didn't know that this hads happened, live on air.
I caught the on-air apology, and can only say it stank of the usual injured innocence. If Ofcom rules are supposed to end impossible questions, how did Glitterball's "girl's names" wordsearch slip through the net?
AN
I caught the on-air apology, and can only say it stank of the usual injured innocence. If Ofcom rules are supposed to end impossible questions, how did Glitterball's "girl's names" wordsearch slip through the net?
Because the new rules start today, that competition was last week
This will effect more than just Glitterball though, some of the other quiz channels have almost entirely this type of question
Andrew
Founding member
tvarksouthwest posted:
goldfish97 posted:
GMTV have said that they are launching an investigtion and didn't know that this hads happened, live on air.
I caught the on-air apology, and can only say it stank of the usual injured innocence. If Ofcom rules are supposed to end impossible questions, how did Glitterball's "girl's names" wordsearch slip through the net?
Because the new rules start today, that competition was last week
This will effect more than just Glitterball though, some of the other quiz channels have almost entirely this type of question
DV
BREAKING ....
GMTV have terminated their contract with Opera with immediate effect.
(Source N24)
GMTV have terminated their contract with Opera with immediate effect.
(Source N24)
CW
Charlie Wells
Moderator
http://www.gm.tv/index.cfm?articleid=25536
Quote:
GMTV releases a statement about its on-air and online competition
GMTV is shocked and saddened by the allegations made in tonight`s Panorama.
The first we knew of any problem with our voting system was when we were approached by Panorama some ten days ago with some of the claims made in the programme.
We immediately contacted Opera Interactive Technology – the telephone company we use to handle our competition lines – for clarification. Opera said the allegations were unfounded, however our own enquiries then showed there were irregularities in the system they were operating. We apologise profusely to our viewers, who, understandably, feel let down.
Our contract with Opera makes it quite clear that competition finalists could only be chosen after the lines were closed giving every viewer an opportunity of winning. It is now clear this detailed process was not adhered to by some Opera employees.
We have therefore terminated our contract with Opera with immediate effect and our competitions will be suspended until further notice.
ICSTIS have launched an enquiry into Opera`s systems. Panorama has said that as much as £40m could have been lost because of this. We believe the real figure, although substantial, will be considerably lower than this.
We are determined to reimburse our viewers who believe they have lost out in entering our competitions and are urgently investigating ways in which we can do so.
The trust of our viewers is paramount to GMTV and we will take all steps necessary to regain it.
Paul Corley, Managing Director of GMTV, will be appearing on GMTV tomorrow to discuss the allegations.
GMTV is shocked and saddened by the allegations made in tonight`s Panorama.
The first we knew of any problem with our voting system was when we were approached by Panorama some ten days ago with some of the claims made in the programme.
We immediately contacted Opera Interactive Technology – the telephone company we use to handle our competition lines – for clarification. Opera said the allegations were unfounded, however our own enquiries then showed there were irregularities in the system they were operating. We apologise profusely to our viewers, who, understandably, feel let down.
Our contract with Opera makes it quite clear that competition finalists could only be chosen after the lines were closed giving every viewer an opportunity of winning. It is now clear this detailed process was not adhered to by some Opera employees.
We have therefore terminated our contract with Opera with immediate effect and our competitions will be suspended until further notice.
ICSTIS have launched an enquiry into Opera`s systems. Panorama has said that as much as £40m could have been lost because of this. We believe the real figure, although substantial, will be considerably lower than this.
We are determined to reimburse our viewers who believe they have lost out in entering our competitions and are urgently investigating ways in which we can do so.
The trust of our viewers is paramount to GMTV and we will take all steps necessary to regain it.
Paul Corley, Managing Director of GMTV, will be appearing on GMTV tomorrow to discuss the allegations.
IS
I caught the on-air apology, and can only say it stank of the usual injured innocence. If Ofcom rules are supposed to end impossible questions, how did Glitterball's "girl's names" wordsearch slip through the net?
The broadcast bulletin in my link states that the rules take effect from today.
tvarksouthwest posted:
goldfish97 posted:
GMTV have said that they are launching an investigtion and didn't know that this hads happened, live on air.
I caught the on-air apology, and can only say it stank of the usual injured innocence. If Ofcom rules are supposed to end impossible questions, how did Glitterball's "girl's names" wordsearch slip through the net?
The broadcast bulletin in my link states that the rules take effect from today.
JR
I caught the on-air apology, and can only say it stank of the usual injured innocence. If Ofcom rules are supposed to end impossible questions, how did Glitterball's "girl's names" wordsearch slip through the net?
If a lot of people kick up a stink about it then perhaps they'll do something.
http://ofcom.org.uk/complain
tvarksouthwest posted:
goldfish97 posted:
GMTV have said that they are launching an investigtion and didn't know that this hads happened, live on air.
I caught the on-air apology, and can only say it stank of the usual injured innocence. If Ofcom rules are supposed to end impossible questions, how did Glitterball's "girl's names" wordsearch slip through the net?
If a lot of people kick up a stink about it then perhaps they'll do something.
http://ofcom.org.uk/complain
IS
If a lot of people kick up a stink about it then perhaps they'll do something.
http://ofcom.org.uk/complain
Er, they have done something
jrothwell97 posted:
If a lot of people kick up a stink about it then perhaps they'll do something.
http://ofcom.org.uk/complain
Er, they have done something