GMTV facing big fine

[Analoguesat]

Ofcom is reportedly considering a financial penalty "in the millions" over the GMTV premium rate phone-in scandal.

According to The Guardian, a source said the media regulator is looking at a figure based on 5% of GMTV's qualifying advertising revenue - around £56 million - the maximum penalty for serious breaches of the broadcasting code. This equates to a fine of £2.8 million.

If Ofcom decides to include the additional £16 million revenue GMTV made from premium rate calls in 2006, the calculations could be based on 5% of £72 million, resulting in a fine of £3.6 million.

GMTV's premium rate phone-ins were suspended in April after a BBC One Panorama programme suggested the broadcaster had incorrectly taken money from viewers when participating in such competitions. A investigation led by consultants Deloitte discovered the problem had been going on from June 2005 to March 2007.

Earlier this year GMTV's controller of enterprises Kate Fleming and managing director Paul Corley left GMTV following the allegations.


Digital Spy