3. Setting up a competition
The competition, its editorial ambition, structure, and running and resolution should match the public’s high expectations of the BBC.
3.1 Appropriate Planning
Competitions need to be adequately resourced, throughout, in terms of technical support and administration. If some creativity is required, rather than simply answering questions, it must be established that all entries can be fully and equally considered, before a shortlist or winner is selected. Independent judging panels may need to be convened (see 6.3 below). Detailed records must be kept of the winner selection. These must be submitted to ITACU for logging. Contact ITACU here. (Link to internal BBC site only)
Adequate time must be allowed for entries to be received, verified and considered. Remember you may need to extend this in case of problems such as postal strikes or problems with online technical systems such as uploading of entries.
You must have a reasonable expectation that you will be able to cope with the number of entries and that you will generate enough interest in the competition to make it viable to launch. The choice of medium, the prize, amount of on air/ or online promotion for the competition , and the overall editorial set up including what entrants have to do to win will all affect the likely popularity of the competition; you may wish to vary any of these elements before you finalise plans.
3.2 Telephony or online based competitions launched and resolved within a short programme
If a programme is half an hour or less, the BBC would not normally permit a competition to be launched and resolved within the same show. It is very unlikely that within half an hour a programme would have adequate time to set up the competition properly; allow the audience appropriate time to participate; and have enough time to collate and verify the results. Any proposed exception MUST be referred to the Channel Controller, or National or Regional Controller, who should then consult Editorial Policy and ITACU.
3.3 Contingency Planning
Before you run any competition it is essential that you agree a contingency plan. This must be agreed and signed off by the appropriate editorial figure. It must outline what to do if there is a problem with the running of a competition. This could include a problem with the technology used for running the competition; the need to change or withdraw a prize e.g. cancellation of a sporting event; being unable to contact winners on air or after.
Separate contingency plans may be needed to outline what to do in the event of a failure of technology (refer to ITACU) or if there is an editorial or legal problem such as evidence of a breach of the rules by entrants (seek further advice from Editorial Policy & Programme Legal Advice).
If the competition is to be decided via an audience vote see Detailed Guidance on Voting for further advice.
3.4 Competitions aimed at or likely to involve children
Great care must be taken about any competitions which are aimed at or are likely to attract children.
If the competition involves telephony, entrants must be reminded that they must ask permission of the person who pays the bills to make the call.
Online, competitions involving children must include a statement to the effect that children (of 13 or under) should always get their parent's or guardian's permission before entering their personal details (name, address etc) onto the competition form.
Any proposal to use Premium Rate telephony in competitions aimed at children must be referred to the relevant Controller.
The BBC does not use Premium Rate telephony in CBBC programming.
3 .5 Accessibility and choice of media
We aim not to exclude any of our audiences. Some households may not have easy access to digital technology. Normally if a competition is trailed on radio and television there should be universally accessible methods of entry, e.g. if there is an online option there should also be a telephone or write-in option. Competitions which can only be entered via the internet should only normally be trailed on channels where we can reasonably expect most of the likely audience to have some online access. There may be exceptions for editorial reasons for some competitions, but these should be referred in advance to Editorial Policy.
3.6 Setting of questions
Some competitions require the audience to answer one or more questions. The questions chosen are an essential part of the editorial decision making process and must be under the BBC's editorial control. They must demand a level of skill appropriate to the likely audience and must also be suitable in tone and subject matter. Competition questions and answers should be thoroughly researched to ensure they are factually accurate.
Competition questions should not refer to any branded goods or services which are offered as prizes. Obviously where the prize is a ticket to events such as the FA cup final or concert, or book or CD then questions may test the audience knowledge about the relevant subject matter (e.g. history of the cup final or general knowledge about a writer or performer).
If entry to the competition is via a Premium Rate line or there is a donation line for a BBC charitable appeal, or any other payment to enter mechanism, ITACU Legal & Business Affairs must be consulted (who will also refer to Programme Legal Advice) ; a demonstrable level of skill must be demanded otherwise the competition risks being an illegal lottery or gambling.