Eckoh Response to Press Speculation regarding “Saturday Kitchen” TV Show on BBC1

The directors of Eckoh plc ('Eckoh' or 'Company') note the recent press speculation regarding BBC1’s 'Saturday Kitchen” television show and issue the following statement clarifying the services it provides Cactus TV (“Cactus”), the programme makers of the show.

For this programme, Eckoh issued Cactus with three telephone numbers which it understands are used for a regular competition, vote and phone-in on the show.

Although the competition telephone number and vote are routed to the Company’s equipment; Eckoh is not responsible and never has been for either selecting or contacting winners for the competition. Neither is it responsible for determining the outcome of the vote or of the selection of calls from the phone-in service.

The selection of winners and the outcome of the vote are handled exclusively by Cactus via an internet based tool provided by Eckoh but not under its control.

Additionally, the 0871 telephone number for the phone-in service is directly routed to a call centre provided by Cactus which is manned on Saturday mornings. Eckoh has absolutely no relationship or role with this call centre and is not involved in any way with how these calls are used.

The Directors of Eckoh would like to emphasise that at no stage have Cactus or the BBC made Eckoh staff aware that the programme was not broadcast live and Eckoh have not been requested to make any changes to the way that the telephone numbers have been provided.

Nik Philpot, Chief Executive of Eckoh plc, said: ”We take very seriously our obligations to ensure that our services comply with all the relevant regulatory codes. We are extremely concerned with the situation regarding these latest revelations and any potential breach of regulations and hence, have commenced a review of our ongoing relationship with Cactus.”

Enquiries:

Eckoh plc
Nik Philpot
Adam Moloney
08701 100 700

Corfin Communications
Harry Chathli
020 7929 8989