These reports are case summaries of complaints which appeared to raise issues of substance in relation to the interpretation of the ITC Advertising Standards Code. Summary statistics of non-substantive complaints can be found in the full reports which are obtainable from the ITC.
Scheduling of Advertising
Complaint from: 43 viewers
Background
An advertising break was broadcast over the end of live French Grand Prix coverage on 6 July 2003 affecting viewers in ITV1's Granada, Border, Yorkshire and Tyne Tees areas.
Issue
Viewers complained that they missed the outcome of the race because of the commercial break.
Assessment
Granada said that it had sincerely apologised to those viewers who had contacted it direct. It explained that the Northern Transmission Centre (NTC) transmitted the break in response to a 'pulse' sent by the London News Network which was controlling the transmission of programmes to the ITV network. The NTC quickly realised that the network was still broadcasting the programme and cut back to it. However, twelve seconds later transmission automatically reverted to the commercial break which continued to run over the remainder of the race. Granada assured the ITC that it was investigating the matter which it attributed to human error.
The ITC noted Granada's comments and that it extended its apology to all viewers affected by the error, but nevertheless judged that the broadcast was in breach of ITC Rules on the Amount and Scheduling of Advertising (RASA).
Conclusion
Complaints upheld. Breach of RASA 5.1 (placing of breaks).
|