Interactive voting specialist in doghouse over Big Brother
Making a very visible mistake affecting a top-tier client whose products are consumed by millions.
Interactive communications specialist Legion Interactive, which manages text-messaging and mass-calling services for Network 10's Big Brother program, today found itself in the doghouse after "human error" in its vote tallying processes last night saw one contestant wrongly evicted.
That Big Brother housemate, "Bree", has elected to be recalled in a show to be broadcast tonight at 7:30pm (AEST).
Legion -- which bills itself as the leading provider of interactive telephone, SMS/MMS, Internet and e-mail services for broadcast media -- blamed "human error" for the mistake and referred all queries to the television network.
A spokesperson for Network 10 told ZDNet Australia a post-eviction audit by Legion found that a "small percentage of the votes" had been excluded from the final tally. Unfortunately for Legion and all involved with the program, the margin between Bree and the contestant who attracted the next highest number of votes for eviction -- without the missed votes being included -- was just 1 percentage point.
Legion then advised the producers of the program, Endemol Southern Star, of the problem.
The spokesperson said "the course of events last night proves that the systems and back-up checks are working".
However, Legion has been forced to eat its fair share of humble pie. In a statement released by Ten and Endemol, the network and the producers said "[Legion] have accepted full responsibility and have undertaken to ensure something like this cannot occur again.
"[Endemol and Ten] are very disappointed that this has happened and wish to reassure viewers that all possible steps to rectify the error are being taken.
The program's executive producer, Kris Noble, added "The most important thing is human error cannot be allowed to deprive Bree [of] her chance to win the AU$1 million prize".
Legion will indeed be hoping it does not happen again. It works with the network providing audience interaction services on other high-profile programs such as Australian Idol. Other clients include rival network Seven and publishing heavyweight Fairfax.
This is the fourth year Legion has provided services to Big Brother.