Channel 4 hits back at phone watchdog

Channel 4 has hit out at premium-rate phone service regulator Icstis after it today ruled that promotion of prizes on Deal or No Deal was "misleading" and handed out a £30,000 fine.

The broadcaster said it had been given legal advice that Deal or No Deal's phone-in complied with the Icstis code of practice.

Icstis this morning slapped a £30,000 fine on iTouch, the operator of the phone services on the daytime gameshow, over problems with viewer competitions.

The regulator ruled that the promotion of prizes had misled viewers because the show was pre-recorded but the competition voting was live.

However, Channel 4 responded robustly, saying it had talked to senior Icstis executives about the Deal or No Deal phone-in competition before the regulator launched its formal investigation. "We are surprised the promotion of prizes on the competition has been ruled to be misleading," Channel 4 added.

"The channel took legal advice that reassured us of its compliance with the Icstis code of practice and earlier this year, before the Icstis investigation began, we discussed the mechanics of the competition with senior staff at Icstis who assured us that they were comfortable with the manner and circumstances in which the prizes were referred to.

"Icstis has acknowledged, however, that the detriment to consumers from this breach was 'not high' and iTouch has decided not to appeal this ruling."

In its adjudication today Icstis said: "It was the opinion of the executive that at the point of calling viewers will consider that any one of the three amounts is available to be won and will enter the competition on this basis.

"However, as the show is pre-recorded, at the time when the invitation to call takes place, the programme-makers are already aware of which cash prizes will be won."

Icstis ruled that this breached its code of practice, but noted that "the detriment to consumers from this specific breach was not high".

This is the second day this week that Channel 4 has come out fighting following criticism of its shows.

Yesterday the broadcaster said it would strongly contest any complaints about its Dispatches programme Undercover Mosque after it was criticised by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Source: Media Guardian