Channel 4 Could Get Comedy Awards
Channel 4 could be in line to broadcast this year’s British Comedy Awards following ITV’s decision not to show the event.
It is understood that Peter Fincham, controller of BBC One, met today with the show’s producers but decided against airing the ceremony.
This leaves Channel 4 as the only remaining terrestrial network still interested in showing the awards.
ITV has shown the awards for the past 17 years but decided against broadcasting them this year after allegations of irregularities emerged in July, when the Sun claimed that viewers of the awards were asked to vote for their favourite show after the winner had already been picked (see ITV Will Not Screen Comedy Awards).
In a statement released last week, ITV said: “ITV has today asked media law firm Olswang to conduct an investigation into an issue that has arisen in respect of the British Comedy Awards 2005.
“Pending conclusion of the investigation, broadcast of the British Comedy Awards 2007 will be postponed.”
According to a report on MediaGuardian.co.uk, British Comedy Awards producers have met with Sky One controller, Richard Woolfe, but it is understood that an agreement is unlikely to be reached with Sky.
Yesterday, Ofcom fined GMTV £2 million for misconduct after it found irregularities in a phone-in competition (see GMTV Given £2 Million Fine).
Channel 4: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com