ITV controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile7 entries
2023
ITV dormant-company controversy involving Pita Limjaroenrat
ITV returned to political controversy after Pita Limjaroenrat disclosed inherited shares. Public debate focused on whether the dormant company remained a media business, whether its corporate description had been changed to support that interpretation, and whether the shares affected his eligibility for political office.
2020
ITV discloses errors affecting postal competition entries
Issue disclosure
ITV said an internal audit found administrative errors in six premium-rate competitions since 2014, in which some free postal entries were not included. ITV said it had implemented measures to address the problem.
Company response
Remediation — ITV
ITV has said it has since "implemented measures to address the problem"
Source excerpt
ITV has sparked an investigation by media watchdog Ofcom after admitting some free postal entries weren't included in a number of prize draws.
The broadcaster said an internal audit found "a small number of individual administrative errors" in six of its premium rate competitions since 2014.
ITV has said it has since "implemented measures to address the problem".
2020
ITV apologizes and re-edits Saturday Night Takeaway segment
Company response
ITV apologized for costumes worn during the show that featured the Rising Sun flag, saying the mistake was unintended, and said it had taken steps to re-edit the segment for ITV Hub and repeat broadcasts.
Company response
Apology — ITV
We apologise for any offence caused during the End of the Show Show by the costumes worn.
Remediation — ITV
we have taken steps to re-edit that part of the episode for the Hub and for repeat broadcasts.
Source excerpt
We apologise for any offence caused during the End of the Show Show by the costumes worn. This was clearly unintended and we have taken steps to re-edit that part of the episode for the Hub and for repeat broadcasts.
ITV have apologised for an offensive Japanese flag shown on Saturday night's.
2020
ITV apologizes over The Masked Singer panel error
Company response
ITV apologized after Jonathan Ross suggested that Natalie Cole, who died in 2015, could be the singer performing as Daisy on The Masked Singer.
Company response
Apology — ITV
ITV said: "This was a genuine mistake by the panel. We apologise if this caused any upset to viewers."
Source excerpt
ITV has apologised after Jonathan Ross suggested a singer who died five years ago could be one of the celebrities on The Masked Singer.
ITV said: "This was a genuine mistake by the panel. We apologise if this caused any upset to viewers."
“We apologise if this caused any upset to viewers.”
2006
Concession-fee and programming-ratio dispute
The dispute over concession payments, programming obligations, arbitration authority and alleged contractual breaches became the central institutional crisis of ITV's operating history. Court rulings restored the original concession terms and exposed the company to major payment and penalty claims.
2000
Political and ownership concerns following Shin Corporation's acquisition
Shin Corporation's acquisition of a controlling or dominant influence in ITV, during the rise of Thaksin Shinawatra and the Thai Rak Thai party, generated continuing concerns about media independence and political influence.
1996
Unpublished investigation into the concession bidding process
The selection of the winning consortium and the difference between competing royalty offers reportedly prompted a government investigation. The referenced material states that the results were never made public.