Virgin Media’s Advert banned (David Tennant + Big Kahuna)

[Qtx]

Happened last month but didn't see it mentioned anywhere until coming across it just now.

Campaign for cable company’s ‘Big Kahuna Bundle’ used clip from rival’s sport channel and made other misleading claims

A Virgin Media TV ad featuring David Tennant has been banned after rival BSkyB complained about the use of a Sky Sports football clip.

<snip>

Virgin Media’s ad pushed its “quad play” package of products – including TV, superfast broadband, mobile and landline – claiming it was significantly cheaper than a comparable bundle from BSkyB.

In the ad Tennant was seen with a large wall-mounted TV screen behind him that showed a football match on Sky Sports.

BSkyB complained to the Advertising Standards Authority that the TV ad misleadingly implied that Sky Sports was included in the £30-a-month price Virgin Media advertised.

A member of the public also complained that the ad misleadingly implied line rental was included.

Rest of the story @ The Guardian

Very unusual for VM to have an advert banned for being misleading...oh wait...no it's not

[Stephen]

I don't know how that complaint was up held as the screen grab on that link ctually shows the small print that states Sky Sports available starting at £!7 a month and prices depend on package taken.

You could even say the same about the Netflix clip on the other screen, which again there is text on screen stating Netflix subscription required.

So to me people and Sky complaining is just silly.

[Ignitionnet]

The ASA disagree, however this is all pretty normal.

Sky, VM and BT are all constantly complaining about one another's ads. The only result is that the company is told not to use the advert again; they have, of course, stopped using the advert by the time the adjudication is made.

Originally Posted by Qtx

Happened last month but didn't see it mentioned anywhere until coming across it just now.





Rest of the story @ The Guardian

Very unusual for VM to have an advert banned for being misleading...oh wait...no it's not

Thanks for the info, very interesting, might disconnect off the back of this month old news.

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

The ASA disagree, however this is all pretty normal.

Sky, VM and BT are all constantly complaining about one another's ads. The only result is that the company is told not to use the advert again; they have, of course, stopped using the advert by the time the adjudication is made.

Yup, it has been like this for years. Not sure if it says more about the ineffectiveness of the ASA or the current confusing state (as far as consumers are concerned) of broadband.

[qasdfdsaq]

Broadband isn't the only culprit, all the other telecoms (Mobile, IP, etc.) are at it as well.