Sky Sports breaches product placement rules over Specsavers branding

LONDON - Broadcast regulator Ofcom has ruled Sky Sports' coverage of this summer's Ashes cricket series was in breach of UK product placement rules when it included Specsavers branding every time Hawk-Eye graphics were used.

Hawk-Eye: Sky Sports breached product placement rules with Specsavers branding
Hawk-Eye: Sky Sports breached product placement rules with Specsavers branding

Daily coverage of the Test cricket series between England and Australia started on 8 July and included the name of the biggest optical retailer in the UK with every graphic applied, which on some occasions amounted to several times an hour.

The technology predicts the path of the ball as it comes out of the bounce and can indicate whether a batsman should have been given "in" or "out" leg before wicket, and whether the ball would have hit or missed the stumps.

Under an undisclosed commercial deal with the International Cricket Council, the Specsavers brand appeared in the UK and Australia throughout the coverage.

The Hawk-Eye sponsorship ran for the duration of the Ashes series, as well as the two Twenty20 matches and seven One Day Internationals between England and Australia.

Sky Sports owner BSkyB had argued that Hawk-Eye technology should be considered "programme-related material", which would justify its sponsored status, but this was rejected by Ofcom.

An Ofcom spokesman said: "The ruling means we have recorded an official breach against the broadcaster which will stay on record. This is not something that should be taken lightly. Our compliance department has been in touch with the broadcaster." 

No fine or further action will be taken.

The restrictions on some forms of product placement on British TV are expected to be lifted next year following a surprise review launched by culture secretary Ben Bradshaw last month.

Such an easing would allow independent broadcasters to take payments for displaying commercial products during shows.

 

 

 

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