GMTV ends Opera phone line contract
Rob Shepherd
7:00pm
GMTV has severed ties with phone operator Opera Interactive Technology following the Panorama investigation that found callers were being defrauded.
The BBC current affairs show discovered Opera had been finalising shortlists of potential winners for GMTV "long before" phone lines closed, for the past four years. It estimated that £10m a year was being spent by callers on the competitions, but as many as half had no chance of winning.
Opera has denied the claims and said it would hold an investigation, and GMTV initially said it had been assured by Opera the allegations were false.
But GMTV subsequently said in a statement: "Our own inquiries then showed there were irregularities in the system they [Opera] 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."
GMTV added that it was "shocked and saddened" by the allegations and only learned of problems with the phone voting system 10 days ago when approached by Panorama. It then contacted Opera for clarification and was assured the allegations were unfounded.
"The trust of our viewers is paramount to GMTV and we will take all steps necessary to regain it," the statement added.
GMTV managing director Paul Corley appeared on GMTV this morning (24 April) to discuss the allegations.
Premium phone-line regulator Icstis has also launched an inquiry into Opera's systems for the phone-in competitions.
i don't buy this "we never knew about it" line any more. This thing blew up weeks ago and they should have 'checked' everything then, not wait to be confronted. At best they were ignorant and greedy.
GMTV's own statement admits they were informed/contacted 10 days ago about the claims from Panorama. Ten days in which they could have checked for themselves and therefore wouldn't have initially denied the claims. As far as I'm aware last week they still had the competitions aware, and hadn't chosen to withdraw them as a precaution during that time.
GMTV's own statement admits they were informed/contacted 10 days ago about the claims from Panorama. Ten days in which they could have checked for themselves and therefore wouldn't have initially denied the claims. As far as I'm aware last week they still had the competitions aware, and hadn't chosen to withdraw them as a precaution during that time.
They were on. The producers were definitely in the know, so Fiona was also as well. For some reason I think some of the presenters such as Kate will have been left in the dark. I can't really see why, just a gut instinct.
jrothwell97, if the whole of ITV disappear, then GMTV will still be around
GMTV's own statement admits they were informed/contacted 10 days ago about the claims from Panorama. Ten days in which they could have checked for themselves and therefore wouldn't have initially denied the claims. As far as I'm aware last week they still had the competitions aware, and hadn't chosen to withdraw them as a precaution during that time.
They were on. The producers were definitely in the know, so Fiona was also as well. For some reason I think some of the presenters such as Kate will have been left in the dark. I can't really see why, just a gut instinct.
jrothwell97, if the whole of ITV disappear, then GMTV will still be around
GMTV's own statement admits they were informed/contacted 10 days ago about the claims from Panorama. Ten days in which they could have checked for themselves and therefore wouldn't have initially denied the claims. As far as I'm aware last week they still had the competitions aware, and hadn't chosen to withdraw them as a precaution during that time.
They were on. The producers were definitely in the know, so Fiona was also as well. For some reason I think some of the presenters such as Kate will have been left in the dark. I can't really see why, just a gut instinct.
jrothwell97, if the whole of ITV disappear, then GMTV will still be around
OK, perhaps they could both disappear then.
And replace ITV with Thames, Central.... oh no I just woke up
Well if Fiona did know she's bound to slip up soon, she normally does
