6. Selection of winners
BBC competitions must all involve some test of knowledge or skill appropriate to the target audience. Winners must be selected fairly, openly and in accordance with the terms and conditions. There are various methods of selecting winners. The method chosen should be appropriate to the nature of the competition and must always be fair to all entrants.
6.1 Creative Competitions (panels and voting)
BBC competitions may ask entrants to demonstrate creativity, such as writing a radio play, or blog or taking a photograph. It is important to establish clear and fair criteria on which the competition is to be judged at the outset. The criteria used must be available to the public. For online competitions the criteria should normally be available on the competition website.
6.2 Audience voting
Consideration must be carefully given as to whether a vote is the most appropriate way of deciding the winner of a competition. If the competition has involved a high level of skill, such as writing a play or composing music then a panel may be the most appropriate way of judging. It may be appropriate to have two stages and involve both a panel and an audience vote.
If a competition is to be decided by way of an audience vote then you must consult the BBC Detailed Guidance on Voting
If the vote is by text (SMS) and is to be run and resolved in a live programme, referral must be made to ITACU who will consult with Editorial Policy .
If the competition result requires a very fast turn around time e.g. as part of a live show, it is unlikely that online or text will be acceptable. This is particularly true where there may be a strong incentive to cheat, because checking the integrity of online votes is likely to take some time and effort.
6.3 Using a Panel (see also BBC Detailed Guidance on Mounting and Running an Award)
In many cases for creative competitions it will be more appropriate to use a panel to judge entries. This judging system should be clearly explained to the audience and to entrants via on air/online announcements and the terms and conditions. The panel should normally include, or be overseen, by a BBC representative to ensure that the BBC remains in editorial control of the running of all of its competitions at all stages. Panellists should be issued with the criteria for judging. They must confirm, in writing, that they have no conflicts of interest; they should not have any close personal or commercial connection to the entrants.
If such a connection emerges once the competition has commenced, then the panel member should withdraw. Programme Legal Advice should be consulted. It might be necessary to restart judging. It is important that all entries are judged in a consistent manner in line with the agreed criteria. In some cases, for example when short listing large numbers of entries, entries may be split into groups and judged by separate panels of judges . However we must always be consistent and in such cases a control mechanism such as an overseeing adjudicator must be considered to ensure fairness between panels. Further advice may be obtained from Editorial Policy.
6.4 Random Selection (usually only used for quizzes)
In many cases BBC competitions are in the form of general knowledge quizzes. In such cases a panel or vote is unlikely to be used, a winner is likely to be selected at random from all correct entries. In such cases a demonstrably fair random selection process must take place. Where we state in terms and conditions that winners will be randomly selected, we must never use additional subjective criteria, for example short listing entries because they sound or appear lively or because they live near to where any programme recording is due to take place. (See section below)
All correct entries must be entered for random selection. There are several ways to ensure this including:
Drawn from a “hat”: If there are relatively few entries then it could be acceptable to put either all the entries, or all the correct entries into a “hat” or other appropriate receptacle. The first correct entry drawn will be the winner. It may be acceptable to draw several alternatives in case the winner is not contactable or the entry drawn has incomplete details. However if this is done it is essential that the entries are dealt with in the same order in which they are drawn. The first correct entry, which fulfils the entry terms and conditions must be the winner. It is NOT acceptable to draw/select winners in reverse order, although we may announce runners up before winners. Entries should normally be drawn with a witness, who may be from the production team.
Automated random selection: This is a complex area and you must take advice from ITACU. I f there are large numbers of entries, and/or entries from a variety of sources e.g. online, text (SMS) and telephony, then it is usually appropriate to use an automated computer generated random selection process. It is likely that in such cases the telephony service provider will be responsible and contracted to carry out the random selection. However the appropriate editorial figure responsible for overseeing the running of the competition should ensure that the system is appropriate, with advice from ITACU.
If entries have come from several sources then great care must be taken to ensure the selection remains fair at all stages. More people may have entered via one method than another. Entries must be appropriately weighted to ensure everyone has the same statistical chance of being selected. Not all automated random selections systems are the same or as robust. Referral must be made to ITACU.
6.4i Random selection and second stage (Where the finalists have to compete on air)
In certain limited cases, particularly live Radio quizzes, the format of the competition may mean that two or more finalists must be selected, from the correct entries to compete on air. In such cases, editorially, it will be necessary to ensure that the finalists are able to compete in that way for example they may need to be able to cope with the pressure of competing live on air and also may need to be lively and interesting.
In such cases the competition would have two stages; a random selection of all winning entries and then a second stage where these winners are contacted - in the order in which they have been drawn - and auditioned to select finalists to go on air.
It is essential that this process is clearly explained on air and online in the terms and conditions. It is also essential that this second stage audition process is supervised by the senior editorial figure responsible for overseeing the competition to ensure it is managed appropriately. Advice must be sought from Editorial Policy and Programme Legal Advice.
It is very unlikely this format would be suitable for a Premium Rate competition.