Major television broadcasters such as I.T.V. and Channel Five are under investigation after it was discovered that they have been using premium numbers for their phone-ins.
Programmes such as the X-Factor and Brainteaser have been making phone in viewers run up huge bills after charging people incredible prices when calling in hoping to win a prize. But the premium numbers are not the only cause, as some channels have been making their members of staff call in to make it difficult to win the prize. Channel Five bosses have apologised to their viewers as they had no knowledge of the problem on Brainteaser. The majority of the broadcasters have shutdown their premium rate phone lines.
But if you thought it was only the game shows and reality shows, it was discovered that Blue Peter the programme that appears on BBC , watched mainly by the younger age were also guilty . Blue Peter had deceived millions of viewers over a competition due to technical difficulties they had on the show. Rather than admit to the problem they pretended a studio guest was a phone in winner. They later apologised in full for the error. Are they forgiven?