Classic FM Calls On BBC To Drop Promo

Classic FM has called on the BBC to withdraw a promotional trail for Radio 3 which is currently running on BBC TV.

Classic FM chief executive Ralph Bernard says that the promo, which shows a full cast in costume and shot in a theatre setting, is “an obvious criticism of Classic FM and a breach of fair advertising.”

Bernard has this week written to the Advertising Standards Authority and the Broadcast Complaints Commission asking officials to call on the BBC to withdraw the trail and broadcast an apology to Classic FM. He went on to say that the trail “would also appear to be a break with undertakings the BBC made some years ago to the Office of Fair Trading on using its own airtime for promotion.”

The complaint from Classic FM is another development in the rumpus which surrounded the ‘Perfect Day’ promotion, when ITV and a number of commercial radio stations’ complained that the promo was a “free advert” for the BBC’s services.

The BBC however has long maintained that the productions are simply public information films about what the licence payer will receive for buying a licence, the fee for which includes BBC radio services.

Classic FM: 0171 344 2718