Prepare to be brand-dazzled – it’s been confirmed that the government have decided to allow product placement within transmissions for UK television.
Whilst alcoholic drinks, highly fatty, salty or sugary foods and drinks, gambling, smoking accessories, over-the-counter medicines and infant formula and follow-on formula will not be allowed to sneak on-screen, the door is still left open for a huge number of products.
So – clearly-defined logos on commercial TV is something we’re simply going to have to get used to.
An ITV spokeswoman wasn’t overly impressed by the limitations of the ruling, saying:
“While we do not necessarily agree with the restrictions placed on certain categories, it is a step in the right direction as it will deliver additional revenue for investment in original content in the UK,”
Meanwhile, Culture Sercretary Ben Bradshaw said that with the new rules would:
“provide meaningful commercial benefits to commercial television companies and programme-makers while taking account of the legitimate concerns that have been expressed”.
Also, referring to the fact every European nation other than Denmark is already product placing, Bradshaw went on:
“Not to do so would jeopardise the competitiveness of UK programme-makers as against the rest of the EU, and this is something which we cannot afford to do”
So – get used to it WWMers! Do you think it’ll distract you from the content – or will it become as normal as those irritating sponsorship messages before and after the ad break?
This article was brought to you by Bernard Matthew’s Chicken Kievs.
They’re ‘bootiful’.
*end of football comment*
36 Comments
I’m not a big EastEnders fan but the “Bottle of generically-named lager please, Peggy” thing is quite endearing, no?
Hope it doesn’t descend into “Pint of delicious, refreshing and quite possibly good for you in the battle against heart disease, Fosters please, Peggy”
But then again, booze is off the list anyway
This sounds like a great Friday Question idea …
Pint of Churchills is what most regulars drink – though I’ve noticed there’s a pump branded with ‘Thames’. I wouldn’t fancy a pint of Thames, no matter how desperate for a drink I was.
Bag of Kingland crisps.
Thumper… loooook.
Ah
*feels incredibly stupid*
*Has a refreshing cup of PG Tips and feels much better*
I’ve heard quite a lot of debate on this subject and it seems this is going to be both the saviour and destroyer of tv. It’s either one or the other isn’t it?
on the One show:
… and so Adrian’s going to be shaving off his beard because It was starting to give me a rash. He’s going to be using this Gillette razor.
That’s right, Christine. I’ll be using all of these Gillette products to make me face nice n’ smooth again. And what’s that you’re using down there? It certainly looks like you’re having a lot of fun..
Well, Adrian, this is my new Rampant Rabbit…
I know it’s not even half nine yet but I make no apologies for my filthy mind.
I actually fancy a pint of Thames. As the longest river in England, its source is about a mile north of the village of Kemble and near the town of Cirencester, in the Cotswolds. As we know it flows through London, but that is not to say that it would necessarily be a London ale. Indeed it would be an ale reflecting the diversity of the changing landscape from source to sea. A true English ale and one to savour!
Doesn’t that make London the anus of the Thames, DINLT?
Do you really want to drink something that’s pasted through an anus?
*past, of course. I’m not some jibbering simpleton…
*passed! Jesus, what’s wrong with me today
Doesn’t that make London the anus of the Thames, DINLT?
Do you really want to drink something that’s passed through an anus?
worked that time
I envisage long summer evenings, riverside pubs and riperion delights, hand in hand with a fair maiden under the weeping willow trees, set against the backdrop of the river.
What could be nicer than a pint of Thames to toast this idyllic celebration of an English summer.
A pint of actual beer?
Thames is a good old fashioned bitter unlike “Seine” which is a French watery lager, or “Rhine” that is a 7.2% German beer that leads to our youth running amock on a Saturday night. “Arno” is ok with a Pizza.
“Not to do so would jeopardise the competitiveness of UK programme-makers as against the rest of the EU, and this is something which we cannot afford to do”
Ah yes, because Product Placement is allowing European TV to attain even higher standards of quality. These days in Italy, the game shows have up to 50 girls in pants dancing to The Ketchup Song! That wouldn’t have been possible before.
How many degrees Mr Green?
I’m glad British broadcasting has finally taken my idea onboard.
Good morning trolls everywhere….
Sponsored by Quorn ™
In Two and a half Men, Charlie (for it is he) can be seen drinking a different brand of beer every episode…
I have one degree, Nick, in which I was achieved a 2.1, so no cock for a brain!
Having said that it is a degree in Fine Art. Make of that what you will. I’m struggling to make anything of it…
*continues with SQL work*
What would be a better idea is to say to the corporates, you can use existing TV names of products for your own new product. Therefore, a brewery would start producing Churchills. No product placement would be necessary, because they are already placed.
Would the Queen Vic become a Weatherspoons?
The Vic might finally get Sky Sports, or would they? Probably not actually.
“50 girls in pants dancing to The Ketchup Song”
Must…..not………..Google………at……..work…….
DINLT – that is bloody genius. In fact, Marstons should get cracking on with their new bitter, “Generic”. It’d go like hot cakes (or in fact warm beer).
Can I just say that we’re doing awfully well at sticking to the subject today after our acid barbed tongue-lashing from Bad Press yesterday.
Plenty of time, though.
My mate has a degree in fine art.
He’s wasting his time in Madrid, painting and such…..
It’s all relative, Fourstar. I’m currently imagining Christine Bleakley modelling M&S underwear on the one show. Is that sticking to the subject?
Anyway there has been product placement before. What about cars eh?
Ferrari Dino and Aston Martin in The Persuaders.
Volvo in The Saint.
Ford Capri in The Professionals and Minder also Arthur’s Jag. Phil drives around in a Merc.
And last but not least Rosies .
They should really have used generic cars.
Top Gear is rife with it, DINLT
I’m imagining that too now, Mr Green. Consider the subject very much, er, stuck.
Good point Mr. Green, but sometimes they say what the manufacturer does not want to hear. ie the Audi Titty is aptly named.
Balls, I can’t even concentrate on my work now, Fourstar. It’s a very persistent mental image.
Christine Bleakley test drives the Audi Titty?
Everyone’s gone off have they? With their trousers round their ankles? Thinking about Bleakley driving and Audi?
You lot sicken me
*takes trouser off*
I’m plums deep in SQL at the moment Mr G.
*enduring mental image*
SQL SNAP!