Phone-in for a Fool
01/05/07 11:56
So far, I
have avoided writing about the phone in competition
scandals on TV on the basis that if you invite a
thief into your home you deserve to get robbed. If
you are of the mind to spend good money on answering
questions that would only tax the intellect of a dead
skin cell then you deserve to be ripped off.
The TV companies claim they are just allowing the viewer to be “interactive” with the programmes but they are not. They are doing it for one reason and one reason only - to make money. Do the sums and you will realise that the cost of the 'prize' - however fancy it appears to be - is minimal and is often donated by a PR company keen to promote a client's interests. The vast bulk of the money goes into the respective pockets of the broadcaster, the production company and the service provider. To claim they are unaware of what has been going on is almost farcical as the sums of money involved are vast. The broadcasters and production companies have been keen to claim ignorance of exploitation and to blame the call service provider but this is also a nonsense. They are all out to make the most money, in the shortest time and in the easiest way possible from the gullible viewer, who they treat with complete contempt.
Next time you are tempted to phone in and vote for a warbling would be singer or answer an extremely simple question to win an “amazing prize” just stop and think of the shiny new car you are buying for the TV executives of the company you are donating to.
There is only ever the one winner!!
The TV companies claim they are just allowing the viewer to be “interactive” with the programmes but they are not. They are doing it for one reason and one reason only - to make money. Do the sums and you will realise that the cost of the 'prize' - however fancy it appears to be - is minimal and is often donated by a PR company keen to promote a client's interests. The vast bulk of the money goes into the respective pockets of the broadcaster, the production company and the service provider. To claim they are unaware of what has been going on is almost farcical as the sums of money involved are vast. The broadcasters and production companies have been keen to claim ignorance of exploitation and to blame the call service provider but this is also a nonsense. They are all out to make the most money, in the shortest time and in the easiest way possible from the gullible viewer, who they treat with complete contempt.
Next time you are tempted to phone in and vote for a warbling would be singer or answer an extremely simple question to win an “amazing prize” just stop and think of the shiny new car you are buying for the TV executives of the company you are donating to.
There is only ever the one winner!!
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