Talking of dodgy in-programme advertising, the BBC has said it has completed its investigation into allegations in the Sunday Times that independent TV companies were receiving payments from brands to feature their products in programmes that air on the Beeb. And the BBC's conclusion? Everyone is innocent guvnor.
The BBC said in a statement: "The BBC would like to acknowledge the full co-operation given to the investigation by all the independent production companies and prop supply companies involved. The investigation found that a number of people in independent production companies working for the BBC were offered an unspecified payment by an undercover Sunday Times reporter in exchange for featuring products on air and the BBC is deeply reassured that in every case this offer was refused. In none of the programmes investigated did anyone give guarantees that a product would be featured if it was supplied for free or at a reduced cost. In many cases where the Sunday Times alleged that products seen in programmes had been supplied for free by companies, the investigation found that they had either in fact been paid for by the programme, or in one case was personal property lent to the programme by a member of the production team. The investigation found that in every case where products had been sourced for free, this was done in accordance with the BBC's guidelines."
The Beeb did admit certain products had been given more prominence in programmes than was possibly justified, but reiterated that that was not because of any commercial agreement with the companies who made or supplied said products.