Advertising Standards Authority Bans 'Misleading' Virgin Media Ad After Sky Complains

The "battle between telecoms providers continues, with Virgin Media losing this particular skirmish," according to Louise Jack of MARKETING MAGAZINE. Sky "protested to the regulatory body that a TV ad for Virgin Media’s Big Kahuna Bundle was misleading as it implied that Sky Sports was included in the advertised price." The ad featured David Tennant in a campervan kitted out with wall-mounted TVs with one showing a football match on Sky Sports. On-screen text stated, "Content dependent on device & TV package. Sky Sports subscription required from £17/month." The Advertising Standards Authority upheld the Sky complaint, despite Virgin Media arguing that on-screen text "made it clear there was an additional charge for Sky Sports." However, the ASA said that "while it acknowledged on-screen text stated a Sky Sports subscription was required, it considered it was not given sufficient prominence" (MARKETING MAGAZINE, 10/15).