Virgin Media under fire for two ads

The ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) have told Virgin Media not to repeat two recent press ads following complaints.

The complaints from rival BSkyB (Sky) and one member of the public challenged the ads, mainly in relation to the comparisons made with specific Sky packages in the ads.

One ad headlined “The real deal”, compared Virgin Media and Sky TV, broadband and phone bundles.  Sky highlighted unfair comparisons in the ad.  For example, it compared a Virgin 2Mb broadband bundle with Sky’s up to 8Mb bundle, when Sky have a 2Mb bundle which was more comparable.

Another ad headlined “The real deal TV, Broadband and Phone £30 a month” also came under scrutiny along with the first ad for claiming the price stated was the standard price for the service, rather than a promotional offer and the fact it was time limited was not made clear.

The ASA upheld all complaints given and Virgin Media have been told not to repeat the ads.  Read the full ASA Virgin Media adjudication.