Icstis Wants to Regulate TV Quiz Shows Alistair Graham, chair of premium phoneline regulator Icstis, will consult on proposal to regulate licensing of TV quiz shows 10.05.07 Times, Broadcasting, Media Law

GMTV Cuts Opera, Offers Refunds GMTV has sacked competition operator Opera, who has suspended staff, over allegations on Panorama of fake premium rate calls to competition, Icstis launching inquiry Telegraph GMTV admits irregularities and offers refunds Sun Opera Interactive Technology has history of dubious practices, series of fines 24.04.07 Sun, Broadcasting, Media Law

GMTV Ran Fake Competitions BBC Panorama claims GMTV encouraged viewers to call premium rate phone lines in competitions they could not win, took as much as £45k a day in fake calls managed by Opera Interactive Technology Telegraph ITV escapes fine for fake votes on X Factor 23.04.07 Guardian, Broadcasting, Media Law

New Rules for TV Quiz Shows Premium phone line regulator ICSTIS has issued new rules for TV quiz shows, requiring viewer information on pricing, costs and chances of getting to air, Ofcom inquiry continues 05.04.07 BBC, ICSTIS Revised Statement of Expectations for Call TV Quiz Services, Icstis Press Release, Broadcasting, Gambling Law, Media Law, Telecoms

Jowell Ready for Law on Quiz Shows DMCS secretary Jowell is ready to legislate to regulate TV phone-in quiz shows, waiting on current investigations by Ofcom and Icstis, consideration of rule to broadcast odds of connection, shows could be reclassified as gambling 22.03.07 Telegraph, Broadcasting, Consumer Rights, Media Law

Fake Winner in Blue Peter Game Producer in Blue Peter charity appeal game Whose Shoes put a fake winner on the show, apparently thought the phone lines were not working and could not pick a proper winner 15.03.07 Guardian, LegalDay Blog, Broadcasting, Media Law

ITV Quiz Question Has No Answer In a new twist to saga over TV quiz shows abusing premium rate phone calls, ITV cannot explain answer to maths question, faces severe fine and censure if it fails to come up with explanation 12.03.07 Times, Broadcasting, Media Law

TV Phone In Winners Were Fake Police may investigate TV premium rate phone-in shows as Five follows ITV pulling programmes, TV heads Michael Grade, Andy Duncan and Jane Lighting to face parliamentary scrutiny Guardian Five admits phone-in winners on Brainteaser were fake 09.03.07 Daily Mail, Broadcasting, Media Law

Chaos at Phone In TV Shows ITV whistleblower says computers regularly crash at phone-in shows, leaving thousands of votes unrecorded, 'all the big shows affected' Sun Grade insists phone-in shows are here to stay 07.03.07 Times, Broadcasting, Media Law, Telecoms

ITV Drops Phone-In Game Shows Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Take-Away latest show to be accused of misleading viewers with premium rate phone-in games, ITV has stopped all phone and red-button interactive shows, Deloitte to examine procedures for all ITV shows, including X Factor and I'm a Celebrity 06.03.07 Guardian, Broadcasting, Gambling Law, Media Law, Telecoms