A controversial late night TV3 quiz show was today denounced as unfair and misleading by the country’s broadcasting watchdog.
TV3's premium rate phone-in programme Play TVdrew complaints by viewers who said they weren't put through, despite calling in several times at a cost of €1.50 for each call.
Others claimed the answers to some puzzles were too obscure and that the show misrepresented how much prize money was actually on offer.
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) upheld 16 out of 17 complaints against the programme. After an investigation, it found although viewers were told occasionally that not all calls get through to the studio, there was no indication of what the chances are of getting through were.
In one particular show, a lot of calls were put through at the start, but then there was a long period later in the programme where no calls were put through at all. Some viewers complained they were trying to get through to the show at a time when the presenter was saying that nobody was ringing in.
“In the opinion of the commission, the format of presentation and the techniques used in the course of the broadcast amounted to the quiz being conducted unfairly,” said the BAI.
In another show, during which viewers were invited to add up numbers, it was found the quiz was presented on-air as being easily solvable “when in fact this was not the case.”
The method used to total up the figures - which was seen by the BAI during its inquiry - was such that it was “highly unlikely” a caller would get the right answer, it was found. “The nature and presentation of this game was unfair,” the BAI said.
Another complaint that was upheld was directed at the use of countdown clocks aimed at encouraging people to call in, which were also found to be misleading.
“In the course of the game, the presenter repeatedly stated that she was under pressure to end the game,” said the BAI. “However, the game did not end.”
The BAI said it was disappointed TV3 had chosen to reply in general terms to the individual complaints rather than deal with the specific issues raised.