Interesting competition warning on Channel 5 programme

[VMPhil]

Whilst flicking through the TV last night I noticed that Channel 5 were doing one of their usual competitions during a Michael Ball show.

Interestingly there was a notice at the top of the screen saying that the Three network will be doing maintenance on their service and so viewers with Three mobiles shouldn’t enter the competition during a specific time period.

It looked like it may have been added by presentation as it was overlaying the graphics from the programme and looked similar to the caption used when Prince Philip died.

I can’t say I’ve seen a notice like this before - and I wonder how it was organised. Has something happened in the past that Channel 5 now put a warning up for something like this - a previous Ofcom complaint maybe?

[Brekkie]

I never understood why when all the phone in scandal kicked off that as the receivers of texts/calls it seemed to be the broadcasters held to account for any failings of the phone operators to deliver the service they have the contract with the end user to do so. For me all broadcasters had to do was add the disclaimer that votes or entries "made or received" after the closing time wouldn't count but might still be charged. Text voting never really returned but ultimately competition entries did.

As for this are C5 not really setting themselves up for a fail. Surely it is Three's responsibility to notify users of planned maintenance affecting the service and in setting a precedent C5 may now be deemed liable in the future when they don't flag it.

[Steve in Pudsey]

Surely it is Three's responsibility to notify users of planned maintenance affecting the service and in setting a precedent C5 may now be deemed liable in the future when they don't flag it.

That would be unfortunate if a company that was trying to do the right thing by it's customers found itself disadvantaged for doing so.

[watchingtv]

Yes Channel 5 have put notices at the top of the screen when there is an issue with a competition. It was for the Australian Soap competition quite a few years ago. And I think on one occasion it was for 3 users then too.