National AM station talkSPORT have been found in breach of regulatory guidelines, after including advertising messages in programming output. No fine has been imposed by Ofcom on radio group UTV for the offence, which occurred during the Jon Gaunt show in February.
Gaunt promoted a website which allows the user to access their home PC from a remote location. The message, which was part of a campaign paid for by the client, was presented as a live read as part of the output.
While talkSPORT provided evidence that precautions had been taken to keep the advertising separate and distinct to the programming output, Ofcom ruled that the station breach since the messages were indistinguishable from the show's editorial.
