ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

Ringers and Quiz Call: A Cyprus-Focused Overview of a Dubious TV Format

Ringers, also known as Quiz Call in some regions, is a type of television program that has been broadcast on Channel 10 between 2007 and 2008. The format, which originated from the German dedicated quiz channel 9 Live, involves viewers participating in quizzes to win cash prizes. This concept was later adopted by Telemedia InteracTV, a Cyprus-based company, as part of its collaboration with Channel 10.

The idea behind Ringers is to utilize "dead hours" on the broadcast board, where viewer numbers are limited and advertising prices are low, generating income directly from viewers. The economic principle relies on the fact that some TV channel expenses include low-cost transmission, making any additional income during these hours a clean profit. However, this model has been criticized for its dubious nature.

The program's format involves viewers constantly ringing in to participate in quizzes, with the goal of winning cash prizes. In return, viewers are rewarded with airtime on the broadcast. The show's producers claim that this format allows them to generate revenue from low-cost transmission hours, but critics argue that it exploits viewers for profit.

Ringers was first introduced by 9 Live in Germany in September 2001 and gained popularity worldwide, leading to the emergence of similar channels broadcasting programs in this format. Some of these channels broadcast continuously throughout the day, while others are transmitted during specific hours in exchange for profits.

Telemedia InteracTV's collaboration with Channel 10 resulted in Ringers being broadcast to approximately 60 countries around the world. The show was initially aired on Five and later returned under a new deal with the network. However, after three years on Five, presenter Liz Fuller announced that Quiz Call would end its run on September 12, 2009.

The show's format involved displaying a grid of money amounts on screen, with variable answers available but only one correct answer. The prizes ranged from £500 to £3,000, depending on the response. Critics argue that this model is unfair and exploits viewers for profit, as they are often required to pay a premium line fee despite having little chance of winning.

In conclusion, Ringers and Quiz Call represent a dubious TV format that has been criticized for its exploitative nature. While it may have generated revenue from low-cost transmission hours, the show's reliance on viewer participation and exploitation of their time raises concerns about fairness and transparency in television programming