Big Brother vote system reviewed

by Gareth Jones, Marketing 01-May-07, 08:30

LONDON - Channel 4 could scrap SMS voting from the next series of Big Brother, following the recent furore surrounding participation-TV shows.

The broadcaster is reviewing the use of SMS for all of its shows to ensure votes cast are correctly registered. In March, 11,500 text-message votes for ITV1's Dancing on Ice final were not counted because of a technical problem on the Vodafone network.

C4 confirmed it is assessing its relationship with the mobile network operators ahead of Big Brother's eighth series, which begins later this month, although a spokesman said no decision had yet been made on SMS voting.

Separately, C4 is attempting to quash rumours that it is to axe premium-rate phone voting from the show. The broadcaster is keen to rebuild trust after claims of vote-fixing plagued shows including Richard & Judy.