Viewers Fume As Today’s $130,000 Giveaway Labelled A Set-up & “Scam”
Channel Nine has been forced into damage control after a $130,000 viewer giveaway on its morning breakfast show Today was labelled a set-up and scam.
To win the hefty jackpot a viewer simply had to answer their phone, unprompted, at home with “I wake up with Today“.
Yesterday, the very lucky Josh Huxley (below) from Wyong on the NSW Central Coast did just that. Coincidentally, a Channel Nine camera crew was waiting nearby to film Huxley’s reaction to the win, prompting many viewers to suggest the prize and winner had been predetermined by Nine.
However, Huxley, who was straight on the phone to the show’s hosts Lisa Wilkinson and Karl Stefanovic on news of his bumper win, denied knowing anything about the camera crew lurking outside his home.
Viewers were furious suggesting the network must have had prior knowledge of the winner as the whole thing was just too convenient. They argued, if a winner had already been chosen, why were viewers still phoning in to enter the competition and paying money to Nine to do so (it cost 55 cents a minute to enter the competition by phone).
A Change.org petition has been organised by disgruntled viewers who are petitioning the NSW Liquor, Gaming and Racing Office to have the competition investigated and monies paid refunded.
Queenslander Coralie Allan, who started the petition, said: “The competition was closed – yet Channel Nine was still making money from people calling in up until the actual segment.
“Or the winner was chosen in advance – so entrants were disadvantaged from the beginning and there entries were null and void, in spite of having paid for them, as evidenced by the ‘planted’ TV crew in attendance,” Allan said, her comments reported on Fairfax Media.
However, the network has denied the claim and last night issued a statement to media, sent to B&T, confirming the competition and prize were bona fide.
“To correct any misinformation and concerns, Nine reaffirms the competition is run in accordance with clearly stated terms and conditions to protect all entrants and ensure fairness in the operations,” the statement read.
“As a live television show, when it is possible to have a crew in the vicinity of the call recipient, and if they answer the call correctly, we are able to capture the reaction as soon as possible.
“Often, the public is unaware of the presence of a crew because the call is not answered in time. When there is a moment of joy to be shared, we endeavour to do so with our viewers,” the statement read.
However, angry Today viewers have taken to Nine’s Facebook page to register their disgust at the competition.
One aggrieved viewer wrote: “Surely that was a set up? He answered so quickly and then within seconds a camera was in his house. Who let the camera crew in. It just seems so strange. Everything went so smoothly, the satellite was in sync with the phone, he seemed like he was already camera trained and knew that he had to jump up off the couch, turn around and face the camera. It just all looked rehearsed.”
While another added: “Disgusting! Shame on you Today show. You accepted my money, my entry and thousands of other peoples, only to find out you clearly already knew who you were going to call. deceitful as far as I’m concerned. so disappointed in this show now!”
The latest controversy for Nine and Today follows on from its coverage of the wedding of the network’s journalist’s Peter Stefanovic and Sylvia Jeffreys in early April. The breakfast show was accused of spruiking and name-dropping companies involved in the wedding, presumably in some sort of contra deal.
Please login with linkedin to comment
Advertising Standards Bureau Failure i bought a jeep Ross RaeburnLatest News
opr Report: The Need To Rethink Content In A Post-Pandemic World
A new report shows the need for brands and organisations to rethink their approaches to marketing and communications content in a post-pandemic world. The new report, titled Future of Content and part of opr’s Futures series, takes an in-depth look at the changing way audiences find, consume, make and share content in Australia and around the […]
Are Media Appoints Jane Huxley As CEO, As Brendon Hill Departs
Are Media has announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer to replace Brendon Hill. Jane Huxley is the new CEO and starts with Are Media on Monday 26 April. Huxley is a highly experienced executive with a background in digital and technology businesses. Most recently Huxley was the regional managing director for Spotify, […]
Expedia’s Brand Positioning Takes New Direction
Expedia has announced a new brand direction as the world prepares for the return of travel demand. The online travel giant’s new global positioning is grounded in the understanding that who you travel with matters, and comes after months of customer research. From an updated look and feel to enhanced product offerings, Expedia is looking […]
New Research Says Queen Elizabeth’s Brand Bigger Than Oprah, Beyonce, Kim Kardashian
Study finds the Queen now the biggest celebrity brand in the world. Has still knocked back a guest appearance in Suits.
H&M Launches Free 24-Hour Suit Hire For Men With Job Interviews
H&M launches free suit hire for men with job interviews. Or, you could lie & wear it to a wedding or court appearance.
News Corp Strengthens Audience Data With New Capabilities And Digital Advertising Solutions
News Corp says we're not just appallingly behaved NRL players and Albo bashing, unveiling its latest data initiative.
Domino’s Stores On The Gold Coast To Raise Money For Kelly Wilkinson’s Family
Finally you can eat an entire garlic bread and actually feel good about yourself in this top initiative from Domino's.
“Don’t Drink & Start A League!”: Heineken Trolls European Super League
Beer ad says 'don’t drink & start a league!' That could also include don't drink & robot dance or propose marriage.
Entries Open For B&T’s Newest Awards: Best Of The Best!
B&T is celebrating Aussie adland's best of the best. Yet, sadly, there's no 'best luncher' or 'best moustache' category.
SodaStream Enlists Randi Zuckerberg For Earth Day Campaign, ‘Don’t Just Share, Care’
Randi Zuckerberg now flogging SodaStreams while, at the same time, studiously avoiding questions about the family.
As Research Shows Australians Only Wear Half Their Wardrobes Regularly, Levi’s Urges Aussies To ‘Buy Better, Wear Longer’
Research shows Aussies only wear half their wardrobes regularly. Understandable if it includes a muumuu or Gimp suit.
Chanel’s Attempt To Ban Huawei Logo Thrown Out Of Court
Whenever B&T reports on Huawei we appear to get a white van parked across the road with a satellite dish on the roof.
Equity Mates Media Joins The Acast Creator Network
Equity Mates Media, the number one finance and investing network for young Australians, has joined the Acast Creator Network. Its five podcasts, which are some of Australia’s favourites, will now be hosted and distributed by the creator-first podcast company Acast. Equity Mates Media was created to give everyday people the inspiration, information and confidence to […]
Sacked Mindshare CEO Nick Emery Resurfaces To Head You & Mr Jones’ $387M Media Division
Sacked Mindshare CEO Nick Emery's found a new role after six months. With Mrs Emery apparently commenting, "Hallelujah!"
Four Pillars, Qantas Release Centenary Gin
When B&T sends an angry text to an ex at 4am or wonders where our life went we choose to do it with Four Pillars Gin.
A Shot And A Sausage: Bunnings Say It’s Willing To Host Mass Vaccination Hubs
Bunnings to offer COVID vaccines to customers. Can then wheelbarrow you back to your car if you get a blood clot.
iStock Reveals Top Tips To Visualise Sustainability In ‘21
After an unprecedented year of challenges, iStock research has shown that Australians and New Zealanders are increasingly expecting businesses to communicate with greater empathy, both in terms of a brand’s language as well as its visuals. Celebrated globally on April 22, Earth Day presents a timely opportunity for businesses to put empathy into practice, iStock […]
Carla Zampatti Gives Final Family Photoshoot And Interview To The Australian Women’s Weekly
Carla Zampatti gives final interview to the Women's Weekly. Although, admittedly she didn't know it at the time.
Wednesday TV Wrap: Lego Masters Top Performing Entertainment Third Night In A Row Despite Viewer Drop
Hamish & Andy continue to prove they're the Pringles or Ben & Jerry's of Australian TV - you can't get enough of them.
ThinkNewsBrands Shifts To Roy Morgan For Readership Data, As emma Is Retired
Roy Morgan staff fearing a gutload more work after ThinkNewsBrands hands it its readership data.
Clems Melbourne’s Jonny Berger Joins CHEP As Managing Partner
It would appear the Bergers are better at CHE Proximity after Jonny jumps ship from Clems Melbourne.
The Number Of Australians Aged Over 75 On Social Media Doubled In 2020
Oldies flocking to social media. Presumably to complain about the price of Steradent & the whereabouts of Ginger Crisps.
Vitasoy Encourages Us To Grow A Better World By Drinking “Planet Milk” In New Brand Platform By Leo Burnett
Following strong urging from colleagues, the B&T editor has switched to Vitasoy yet remains as farty as ever.
Samsung Ads Bolsters Australian Presence With Three New Hires
Samsung Ads announces three new local hires who are all down the Telstra shop this morning switching to Android.
Starcom Wins Tourism Tasmania’s Media
Starcom wins Tourism Tasmania amid reports 'Boonie' is not being considered as the face of next campaign.
Pinterest And Shopify Expand Partnership
Pinterest and Shopify have announced the expansion of their partnership to 27 additional countries. The partnership will provide more than 1.7 million Shopify merchants around the world with an easy way to bring their products to Pinterest and turn them into shoppable Product Pins to be discoverable across the platform. With the evolution of the […]
Changing The Ratio: Think HQ’s Jen Sharpe And Sarah Said On Speaking Equally To All Australians
B&T forced to enlist the foldout picnic chair from the garage after chatting with not one but two of Think HQ's stars.
Taboola drives free advertising to six Australian women-owned businesses, as part of its new #RecommendHER program
Taboola, a global leader in powering recommendations for the open web, has powered free advertising campaigns for more than 100 women-owned businesses, including six Australian businesses, as part of its new #RecommendHER program.
Zenith Names Sarah Heitkamp As Head Of Strategy & Planning
Sarah Heitkamp to head Zenith's strategy & planning. Insists she won't be filling the meeting room with fluro Post-its.
How Brands And Retailers Can Create A Personalised Customer-First Experience
Why sit through a tedious four-hour boardroom meeting on personalised customer-first experience when you can read this.
