Posted by Fox on April 23, 2007 at 11:10 AM
GMTV has denied claims that tens of thousands of people who sent sms text or made calls to its competitions had no chance of winning, but a BBC investigation has found that GMTV Breakfast Show viewers have been defrauded out of millions of pounds.
According to a Panorama documentary to aired tonight on BBc1 (Monday 23rd April, 8.30pm), phone operator Opera Interactive Technology allegedly finalised shortlists of potential winners "long before" the breakfast television show's lines closed, meaning millions of viewers were fleeced out of money.
Panorama claims the amount of money spent over the past four years by those trying to enter GMTV competitions is an estimated £45,000 a day or £10 million a year.
Panorama found a company working for GMTV had been finalising shortlists of potential winners "long before" phone lines closed, for the past four years.
GMTV has moved to suspend all phone-in quizzes, but said it was confident it had not breached regulators' codes.
The phone operator, Opera Interactive Technology, denied any wrongdoing.
Panorama estimated people spent £45,000 a day or £10m a year trying to enter the GMTV competitions, but said many had no hope of winning once the shortlists had been finalised.
GMTV presenters Penny Smith and John Stapleton will told viewers on Monday: "GMTV knew nothing of this and is shocked to hear of these allegations.
"We are investigating further but do anticipate bringing our competitions back as soon as possible."
GMTV added that its competitions were being run in accordance with the codes of telecoms regulator Ofcom and premium rate watchdog Icstis.
Icstis says it is "chasing" Panorama's producers for their evidence before deciding whether to launch an investigation into the claims.
Link : More on GMTV SMS text probe
