11. Pre-recorded and repeated programmes
11.1 Pre-recorded
If a competition is run during the course of a programme, (rather than simply promoted at the end of a show) the audience will normally presume that the programme is live. The inclusion of interactivity into a pre-recorded show can cause problems if not handled carefully. We must never mislead the audience.
Great care must be taken to ensure that it is appropriate to include a competition in a pre-recorded programme; that the competition mechanism is still valid and robust; and that particular care has been taken over scripting to avoid misleading the audience in any way. It may also be important to add extra explanatory information online with the terms and conditions.
If a programme has been pre-recorded, and a problem has been identified before transmission which renders the result inaccurate, then the programme should not be transmitted without appropriate changes. This may require re-editing. Theappropriate editorial figure responsible for overseeing the competition must be consulted.
11.2 Repeated Programmes
If a programme which includes a competition is to be repeated we must never knowingly mislead the audience into thinking they can enter when in fact they cannot. This is particularly important if the entry is via telephony. But whatever the entry method, people must not be misled.
In some cases programmes may need to be edited before repeating.
For television, we must totally obscure entry details if they are on a graphic in the original programme.
We should also use an announcement or add a graphic to inform viewers the competition is closed.
Where there are verbal announcements of entry methods it will be necessary to edit or to have a continuous strap running through that section of the programme to inform the audience the competition has closed.
For radio, appropriate edits must be made
Under no circumstances should a programme be repeated where it is known that there were errors in the voting or audience information without appropriate changes. This also applies to On Demand services – see below.
11. 3 On Demand services including BBC iPlayer
Many of the BBC's programmes are now available on a range of On Demand services, in particular the BBC iPlayer. It is important that audiences are informed that the interactivity may have changed or be closed. There are various ways of doing this:
a short specially commissioned VT at the start of the show which will remind people that interactivity may no longer be open and direct them to the programme website for up to date information
a strap with audience information
the programme synopsis, which describes the programme content, must highlight that the programme includes interactivity and direct people to the website for information, where relevant.
Productions must ensure they liaise with the On Demand scheduling team, to inform them of programmes which need additional information. It may not be appropriate for some programmes which include interactivity to be included in the On Demand Schedule, if appropriate announcements and audience information cannot be given.
In Radio, for services such as radio iPlayer, programme teams must liaise with the Audio and Music interactive teams to ensure that information in programmes which contain votes or competitions is amended accordingly.