TV quiz channels face crackdown

Quiz Call still airs on Five three nights a week

TV shows which rely heavily on premium rate phone lines should face tough new rules, media watchdog Ofcom has said.

It is planning a new code for the programmes - usually quizzes, psychic series and adult chat shows - which it says will protect viewers.

Ofcom says quiz channels should rely less heavily on phone-ins, or be reclassified as teleshopping services.

It also says psychic TV channels and adult chat services should no longer be able to broadcast on free TV.

Teleshopping services have strict rules on the amount of advertising they can carry, and are also regulated by the Advertising Standards Authority - which prohibits adult chat and psychic services.

Ofcom says it wants to make sure TV channels do not exist simply to take viewers' money, and are not focused solely on the premium-rate quizzes.

The new rules follow allegations that viewers were being ripped off by TV quiz channels.

The furore led to ITV scrapping its ITV Play channel, although Five still broadcasts Quiz Call on three nights each week.

Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said: "Ofcom will ensure that these programmes only use premium rate telephone lines where there is sufficient editorial justification.

"This will further distinguish between television advertising and editorial content for the benefit of viewers."

Broadcasters have six weeks to comment on the proposed rules, which would also apply to radio stations.