Ratings bribe claim faces TV producer
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hürriyet Daily News
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 21, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - A producer paid monthly salaries to 20 families that were chosen to rate television shows in order that they would watch his show, according to the Television Viewing Research Committee, or TİAK.
According to a report by daily Habertürk, the committee, which is part of the International Advertising Association, found that 20 households in Ankara and İzmir were paid to watch the show. TİAK filed a criminal complaint Friday.
The producer had found the addresses of 208 households with apparatuses used to rate shows, the daily said.
TİAK member Nuri Çolakoğlu said there were people known within the sector who offered money to these households to secure higher ratings. "These people go around offering money to everyone," he said. "We found out that this latest incident was perpetrated by a producer."
Apparatus removed from 208 households
He said the families admitted what had happened. "We have removed the rating apparatus from 208 households in the region and have the problem under control," he said. IAA General Manager Meral Teremise said she could not announce the name of the producer in question.
"We have certain names, but we don’t want to divulge their identities before obtaining concrete proof," he said.
Ratings of television shows are calculated in accordance with the viewing behaviors of 2,500 households around the country with an apparatus called the "peoplemeter."
One producer, Osman Sınav, speaking to Habertürk daily, said he had been producing shows for the past 15 years but that the ratings figures of the past two years had created concern.
"The households chosen do not reflect Turkey’s average or our culture," he said. "What are the social and cultural criteria for choosing the households?"
Birol Güven, deputy head of a producers association, said the ratings results were perceived as confused. "In the past, we could tell ourselves what would happen if we went for a particular angle," he said. "Due to mixed ratings results, people are losing their jobs. The ratings are not transparent." Ratings are a major factor for attracting advertisement in Turkey, especilly for prime time programs.
The producer had found the addresses of 208 households with apparatuses used to rate shows, the daily said.
TİAK member Nuri Çolakoğlu said there were people known within the sector who offered money to these households to secure higher ratings. "These people go around offering money to everyone," he said. "We found out that this latest incident was perpetrated by a producer."
Apparatus removed from 208 households
He said the families admitted what had happened. "We have removed the rating apparatus from 208 households in the region and have the problem under control," he said. IAA General Manager Meral Teremise said she could not announce the name of the producer in question.
"We have certain names, but we don’t want to divulge their identities before obtaining concrete proof," he said.
Ratings of television shows are calculated in accordance with the viewing behaviors of 2,500 households around the country with an apparatus called the "peoplemeter."
One producer, Osman Sınav, speaking to Habertürk daily, said he had been producing shows for the past 15 years but that the ratings figures of the past two years had created concern.
"The households chosen do not reflect Turkey’s average or our culture," he said. "What are the social and cultural criteria for choosing the households?"
Birol Güven, deputy head of a producers association, said the ratings results were perceived as confused. "In the past, we could tell ourselves what would happen if we went for a particular angle," he said. "Due to mixed ratings results, people are losing their jobs. The ratings are not transparent." Ratings are a major factor for attracting advertisement in Turkey, especilly for prime time programs.