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mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

Premium rate phone-in competitions are to be gradually reintroduced to the BBC in January.

The corporation suspended all competitions in July after an inquiry unearthed several faked phone-ins.

A limited number of competitions will be phased in from next month beginning with Goal of the Month on Match of the Day and Popmaster on Radio Two.

Premium rate calls to the BBC will now be capped at 15 pence except for charity appeal shows like Comic Relief.

The BBC's director general, Mark Thompson, said the new capping policy was to make the cost of premium rate calls clearer to the public.

Code of conduct

However, he admitted that the fixed rate would mean charities will now receive "slightly less money" as a result.

Mr Thompson said the BBC was now in talks with charities "about other ways of supporting their work".

Currently, shows not directly linked to charity appeals - such as Strictly Come Dancing - are able to raise additional sums for charity by increasing the call price, usually by 10 pence.

But this will no longer happen under the new policy.

The BBC announced a new code of conduct in November regarding the running of competitions and voting.

There will be a reduction of the number of competitions held as part of BBC programmes and any proposed contests must be approved at a very senior level before being given the go-ahead.

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I'm sure this will please Ken Bruce when he returns from his Break?

tarahrah bomdiay · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 260

I'm sure Ken will be delighted, he must have fast been running out of 'celebs' to take part.

Barkingbiker · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2313 Location: Lincolnshire

More likely running out of patience with the "celebs" Wink

BB

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tarahrah bomdiay · Joined: 17 Dec 2007 Posts: 260

Well yes, I'm sure he's fed up with the endless queue of folks plugging their latest album.

Gnasty Gnome · Joined: 28 Jul 2007 Posts: 313 Location: West Wales

Sorry if I'm being cynical, but I wonder if we'll now have to ring a premium rate number to get on popmaster?

Just a thought.

iwarburton · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 2133 Location: Northumberland

Do we know when Popmasters in its original form is coming back?

Ian.

nod · Joined: 24 Dec 2006 Posts: 3558

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

Not yet though, twas a celebrity edition today with Alex Lester (from brum) & David Jordan.
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Ian Robinson · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 10:58 am Post subject:

Ken said there's a new jingle for it in 2 weeks, so I guess that's when it's coming back "proper"

I'm sort of sad, because even though celebs have been pushing their latest albums sometimes it's been the only chance to hear new songs by artists who really should be played by Radio 2 (eg Status Quo, Stephen Duffy).

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

I hear that Popmaster will be getting a new jingle. He did say that no other shows are getting new ones. I do wonder if the whole station is getting a make over?

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

Ken Bruce has announced that 'Popmaster' is back in it's original form from next Monday.
6 music on Radio 2 in today's celeb version. Nemone Vs Steve Lamacq (who also now has a R2 show - confused? you should be!

)

Nemone & Steve Lamacq doing Popmaster today.
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Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack.

mark occomore · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 9955 Location: UK

You have to be able to grilled first by answering 3 questions by the production team and to find out if you post on any message boards Laughing

( Highlighted in red is a joke )

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/shows/bruce/popmaster.shtml