Granada Receives Official Warning

The ITC has issued a formal warning to Granada Television following an edition of This Morning which breached the undue prominence and competition rules of the Programme and Sponsorship Codes.

The programme in question was transmitted on September 21, and featured Victor Kiam presenting and discussing his Lady Remington range of jewellery. Viewers were asked to enter a competition to win pieces from the range by devising an advertising slogan for Lady Remington. This was in breach of the Sponsorship Code, which states that competition questions must not refer directly or indirectly to the products of the prize provider, nor should prizes be referred to editorially elsewhere in the programme. A further programme on 12 October which involved a Safeway competition also breached the Sponsorship code. This is not the first time that This Morning has breached ITC Codes – other breaches included the use of premium rate telephone numbers, undue prominence given to Heinz products, and unacceptable explicit material.

The ITC has the power to impose a range of sanctions, ranging from a broadcast apology to a fine of up to 3% of revenue, which could be up to £4.8m.

The Commission will decide on the imposition of sanctions at its December meeting.

ITC 071 255 3000