Xfm has been found in breach of broadcasting rules over a competition on the Rick Shaw drivetime show which offered listeners ridiculous prizes like "a girlfriend", "a private jet" and "a pint of milk".
The prizes, which, as far as I can see, participating listeners themselves requested, were, of course, a joke, but after a winner of the competition complained, saying he was unaware that the prizes weren't real, OfCom intervened.
Xfm owners GCap argued that the complaint shouldn't stand because the prizes were obviously a joke because of the "sheer nonsensical nature of some of the requests and the presenter's nonchalant response". They also claimed callers were told before going on air that their prize requests weren't real.
But OfCom didn't agree, saying that the feature could have confused some listeners. Their ruling noted: "Whilst some of the items chosen by winners were unrealistic and therefore clearly a joke, Ofcom notes that other requests, such as a satellite navigation system or concert tickets were not," said the regulator. As such, the audience's understanding of the competition would have largely depended on which particular edition they were listening to and whether they were regular listeners who would 'get the joke'".