05 April 2007

Icstis

http://www.icstis.org.uk

New ICTIS Rules for TV Quiz Shows

ICSTIS INTRODUCES TOUGH NEW RULES FOR QUIZ TV SHOWS

TO BOOST VIEWER TRUST

ICSTIS, the premium rate services regulator, has today issued tough new rules to boost

consumer trust and confidence in Quiz TV services. The new measures, which will come

into force in four weeks£ time, will give viewers a better understanding of their chances of

getting through to programmes, as well as giving them clearer information about the cost

of each call they make to participate.

The new rules, which have been issued by ICSTIS in the form of a revised Statement of

Expectations for Call TV Quiz Services, are designed to build consumer trust in Quiz TV shows

and address the concerns raised by MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee in

its report of 25 January 2007.

Commenting on the changes, ICSTIS Chief Executive George Kidd said: £We believe these new

measures, which are designed to address the concerns that have been raised recently, will go a

long way to restoring consumer trust in this form of TV quiz. We have acted at great speed and

have worked closely with Ofcom, broadcasters, programme makers and telephone companies, who have all been supportive in making sure that the changes could be introduced as soon as possible.£

As well as the current safeguards that already exist for these services, the three key additional rules being introduced are:

£ Transparency over the chances of getting through to air

The chances of acceptance or rejection of an attempt by a viewer to get beyond the first

stage must be shown on-screen in near real-time. A prominent and permanently visible

stand-alone display showing the total number of entries to the service in the preceding

15-minute period is now required. This must be updated at no more than 10-minute

intervals.

£ Pricing information

Pricing information must be spoken by a presenter or voice-over at intervals of no more

than 10 minutes. This will complement existing pricing information requirements, which

ensure call costs are given on-screen and as part of the recorded introductory message

on the phone lines themselves.

£ Call cost warnings

Call cost warnings must be provided to all callers at intervals of no more than each £10

spent in each calendar day. Alternatively, warnings may be provided at set call intervals in

any calendar day that equate to accumulations of £10 of call spend (for example, after

every tenth call where the cost of each call is £1).

The full Statement can be accessed in the £Consultations£ section of the ICSTIS website at:

www.icstis.org.uk/service_providers/consultation_responses/statementsfollowing.asp. For more

information about ICSTIS and its work, please see www.icstis.org.uk.

£ ends £

For further information, please contact the ICSTIS Press Office:

Rob Dwight Tel: 020 7940 7408

Kate Belson Tel: 020 7940 7464

NOTES

£ ICSTIS is the industry-funded regulatory body for all premium rate charged telecommunications services.

£ ICSTIS regulates the content, promotion and overall operation of services through its Code of Practice. It investigates complaints, and has the power to fine companies and bar access to services if the Code is breached. It can also bar the individual(s) behind a company from running any other premium rate services under any company name on any telephone network for a defined period.

£ Services are advertised on either 09 dialling codes or, in the case of mobile services, on four or five digit short codes followed by a descriptive key word (for example, 87654 ICSTIS). In some instances, such as interactive TV where viewers make £calls£ using their remote controls, the premium rate number may not be shown. In addition, ICSTIS regulates all £118£ directory enquiry services.

£ Services offer information and entertainment via phone, fax, PC (e-mail, Internet, bulletin board), mobile (SMS/MMS/WAP) or interactive digital TV, and currently vary in cost from 10 pence per call to £1.50 per minute (plus any network surcharges). The money paid by users for services is shared between the telephone company carrying the service and the organisation providing the content. Approximately 45,000 services are in operation at any one time, generating revenue thought to be in excess of £1.2 billion in 2006/7.

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