23 February 2007
Liberal Democrat MPs have tabled an early day motion criticising BSkyB for "misleading" advertising.
The press ads, which ran in the Whitehaven region in Cumbria - due to start digital switchover in autumn - stated "Don't worry that your terrestrial TV signal is being switched off. We've got it covered".
Inside the paper advert, a four-page spread was headlined "Switch to digital with Sky now", which the MPs argued could be seen a misleading. A second advert stated: "Want to be ready when your terrestrial TV signal is switched off? Sky TV is the only way to go digital right now".
MP Ian Foster, who brought the issue before the house, said that the adverts gave the impression that consumers would not longer be able to view terrestrial TV once the switchover took place.
"This digital mix-up served the purpose of undermining Freeview. As opponents of Freeview and a nationwide switch to digital, Sky's actions could be in danger of jeopardising a project with cross-party and public support."
The Advertising Standards Authority chose to ban the advertisements nearly three weeks ago, because they breached rules on "substantiation, honesty and truthfulness", but Mr Foster said that it was disappointing that "at such an important stage at the beginning of the switchover period Sky would attempt to take advantage of any confusion surrounding the matter".
Virgin Media customers have also been complaining after Sky's adverts encouraged them to phone Virgin Media's customer service to ensure that Sky was given a "fair" deal, or else risk the withdrawal of Sky One from its package, though Sky is also thought to be contesting Virgin Media's advert which states "The cheapest place to watch Sky Sports isn't Sky".
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