Watchdog is a
BBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
television series that investigates viewers' reports of problematic experiences with traders, retailers, and other companies around the UK. It has had great success in changing the awareness
consumerConsumer is a broad label for any individuals or households that use goods generated within the economy. The concept of a consumer occurs in different contexts, so that the usage and significance of the term may vary.-Economics and marketing:...
s have of their purchasing rights and in changing policies of companies, closing down businesses, and pushing for law changes.
It is shown on
BBC OneBBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
and is available for online viewing or download via
BBC iPlayerBBC iPlayer, commonly shortened to iPlayer, is an internet television and radio service, developed by the BBC to extend its former RealPlayer-based and other streamed video clip content to include whole TV shows....
.
History
Watchdog was first shown in 1980 as a weekly slot on
BBC1BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
's news magazine programme
NationwideNationwide was a BBC News and Current affairs television programme broadcast on BBC One each weekday following the early evening news. It followed a magazine format, combining political analysis and discussion with consumer affairs, light entertainment and sports reporting...
.
Hugh ScullyHugh Scully , is a British television presenter. He is best known as the host of the BBC show Antiques Roadshow from 1981 to 2000.Scully joined the BBC in 1965 as a freelance journalist...
, best known for presenting the
Antiques RoadshowAntiques Roadshow is a British television show in which antiques appraisers travel to various regions of the United Kingdom to appraise antiques brought in by local people. It has been running since 1979...
, was the original host.
Nationwide ended in 1983, but
Watchdog continued with its successor,
Sixty MinutesSixty Minutes was a news and current affairs programme which ran each day at 5:40pm between 24 October 1983 to 27 July 1984 on BBC One. It replaced the Nationwide programme, and like Nationwide, it also integrated the BBC regional news programmes into a single magazine programme.However, the BBC's...
.
Sixty Minutes lasted only nine months, and Scully left the programme at the end of the 1984 series.
Watchdog returned in 1985 as a stand-alone weekly evening programme, presented by
Nick RossNick Ross is a British radio and television presenter across a wide range of factual programmes and during the 1980s and 90s he was one of the most ubiquitous of British broadcasters, but he is best known for his long-running co-hosting of the BBC TV show Crimewatch which he left on 2 July 2007...
with
Lynn Faulds WoodLynn Faulds Wood is a British television presenter and cancer campaigner.Born in Glasgow and brought up on Loch Lomondside, she first came to prominence as "Actionwoman" on Woman magazine, then Lynn's Action Line on the Sun. She moved to consumer champion on the breakfast television programmes...
, then the consumer expert with the BBC breakfast programme,
Breakfast TimeBreakfast Time was British television's first national breakfast show, beating TV-am's flagship programme Good Morning Britain to the air by two weeks.The show was revolutionary for the time...
. Ross was replaced in 1986 by Faulds Wood's husband,
John StapletonJohn Martin Stapleton is an English journalist and presenter. He is currently working as a freelancer with various media outlets.-Television career:...
, as
Watchdog became a daily morning programme in 1987. The new husband and wife team was the first married team of presenters on UK television, beating
Richard and JudyRichard and Judy is the name informally given to Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, a married couple who are both British television presenters and columnists. Since their marriage, their television appearances have been largely made as a couple. They are best known for presenting This Morning and...
by two years. They made the show even more forceful, investigating big businesses and conducting more
investigative journalismInvestigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Investigative journalism...
, and it quickly returned to a weekly evening slot.
When the 1993 series was taken over by
Anne RobinsonAnne Josephine Robinson is an English journalist and television presenter, known for her assertive views and acerbic style of presenting. She was one of the presenters on the long-running British consumer affairs series, Watchdog, from 1993 to 2001 before returning in 2009...
,
Watchdog shifted focus slightly. Previously, it had been primarily investigating safety issues and those related to children, but it now began looking into issues that would affect a wider audience. Robinson was teamed with
Simon WaltonSimon William Walton is an English professional footballer who plays for Plymouth Argyle.-Leeds United:Walton started his career at hometown club Leeds United. He came to attention after being sent off in a pre-season friendly against Valencia in 2004, whilst still just sixteen...
and
Alice BeerAlice Beer is an English television presenter, and was educated at the North London Collegiate School, a girls' independent school in Edgware, Middlesex.-Career:...
, an assistant producer who was brought on as a link person between the consumers (on the phone in earlier years and e-mail in later years) and the main presenter. Beer left in 1999 and was replaced by
Charlotte HudsonCharlotte Hudson is a British television presenter. She presents the Sky One television series Brainiac: History Abuse, a spin-off from the award-winning Brainiac: Science Abuse...
. Robinson followed in 2001 when she went on to front the British and American versions of
The Weakest LinkThe Weakest Link is a television game show which first appeared in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 14 August 2000 and will end its run in 2012 when its host Anne Robinson ends her contract. The original British version of the show airs around the world on BBC Entertainment...
, to be replaced by
Nicky CampbellNicholas Andrew Argyll "Nicky" Campbell is a Scottish radio and television presenter and journalist. He is known for his time presenting on programmes such as the consumer affairs programme Watchdog...
and Kate Sanderson. In 2005, the presenters were Campbell and
Julia BradburyJulia Bradbury is an Irish-born British television presenter, best known for presenting the BBC One programme Countryfile and other documentaries and consumer affairs programmes.-Early years:...
, with assistance from
Paul HeineyPaul Heiney has been a radio broadcaster or television reporter in the United Kingdom for over thirty years.-Early life:...
and
Saima MohsinSaima Mohsin is a British journalist.Mohsin attended the University of Birmingham and in 1998 gained a BA degree in political science with English literature, followed by a postgraduate diploma in broadcast journalism in 1999...
.
Julia Bradbury briefly departed the programme on 16 February 2009, returning on 20 April 2009. During her absence, she was replaced by
Anita RaniAnita Rani is an English born ethnic Indian radio and television presenter and journalist.-Early life:Rani was born and raised in Bradford in Yorkshire, to a mother of Sikh origins, and Hindu father...
.
On 10 May 2009, a plan to relaunch
Watchdog was announced. The new series began on 10 September 2009, with presenters
Nicky CampbellNicholas Andrew Argyll "Nicky" Campbell is a Scottish radio and television presenter and journalist. He is known for his time presenting on programmes such as the consumer affairs programme Watchdog...
and
Julia BradburyJulia Bradbury is an Irish-born British television presenter, best known for presenting the BBC One programme Countryfile and other documentaries and consumer affairs programmes.-Early years:...
replaced by returning host
Anne RobinsonAnne Josephine Robinson is an English journalist and television presenter, known for her assertive views and acerbic style of presenting. She was one of the presenters on the long-running British consumer affairs series, Watchdog, from 1993 to 2001 before returning in 2009...
,
Anita RaniAnita Rani is an English born ethnic Indian radio and television presenter and journalist.-Early life:Rani was born and raised in Bradford in Yorkshire, to a mother of Sikh origins, and Hindu father...
, and
Matt AllwrightMatthew Allwright is a British television presenter and journalist who specialises in consumer affairs. He is best known for presenting shows such as Watchdog and Rogue Traders and for being The One Show's consumer advice reporter...
, whose show
Rogue Traders is incorporated into the new programme.
Presenters
- Hugh Scully
Hugh Scully , is a British television presenter. He is best known as the host of the BBC show Antiques Roadshow from 1981 to 2000.Scully joined the BBC in 1965 as a freelance journalist...
1980-1984
- Nick Ross
Nick Ross is a British radio and television presenter across a wide range of factual programmes and during the 1980s and 90s he was one of the most ubiquitous of British broadcasters, but he is best known for his long-running co-hosting of the BBC TV show Crimewatch which he left on 2 July 2007...
1985-1986
- Lynn Faulds Wood
Lynn Faulds Wood is a British television presenter and cancer campaigner.Born in Glasgow and brought up on Loch Lomondside, she first came to prominence as "Actionwoman" on Woman magazine, then Lynn's Action Line on the Sun. She moved to consumer champion on the breakfast television programmes...
1985-1993
- John Stapleton
John Martin Stapleton is an English journalist and presenter. He is currently working as a freelancer with various media outlets.-Television career:...
1986-1993
- Alice Beer
Alice Beer is an English television presenter, and was educated at the North London Collegiate School, a girls' independent school in Edgware, Middlesex.-Career:...
1993-1999
- Simon Walton
Simon William Walton is an English professional footballer who plays for Plymouth Argyle.-Leeds United:Walton started his career at hometown club Leeds United. He came to attention after being sent off in a pre-season friendly against Valencia in 2004, whilst still just sixteen...
1993-1994
- Anne Robinson
Anne Josephine Robinson is an English journalist and television presenter, known for her assertive views and acerbic style of presenting. She was one of the presenters on the long-running British consumer affairs series, Watchdog, from 1993 to 2001 before returning in 2009...
1993-2001, 2009–present
- Charlotte Hudson
Charlotte Hudson is a British television presenter. She presents the Sky One television series Brainiac: History Abuse, a spin-off from the award-winning Brainiac: Science Abuse...
1999-2001
- Kate Sanderson 2001-2005
- Nicky Campbell
Nicholas Andrew Argyll "Nicky" Campbell is a Scottish radio and television presenter and journalist. He is known for his time presenting on programmes such as the consumer affairs programme Watchdog...
2001-2009
- Julia Bradbury
Julia Bradbury is an Irish-born British television presenter, best known for presenting the BBC One programme Countryfile and other documentaries and consumer affairs programmes.-Early years:...
2005-2009
- Paul Heiney
Paul Heiney has been a radio broadcaster or television reporter in the United Kingdom for over thirty years.-Early life:...
2005-2009
- Anita Rani
Anita Rani is an English born ethnic Indian radio and television presenter and journalist.-Early life:Rani was born and raised in Bradford in Yorkshire, to a mother of Sikh origins, and Hindu father...
2009-2010
- Matt Allwright
Matthew Allwright is a British television presenter and journalist who specialises in consumer affairs. He is best known for presenting shows such as Watchdog and Rogue Traders and for being The One Show's consumer advice reporter...
2009–present
- Chris Hollins
Chris Hollins is an English journalist, presenter and sportsman, currently employed by the BBC and best known for being the sports correspondent for BBC Breakfast, and for winning Strictly Come Dancing 2009.-Early life:...
2010–present
Methods
Along with attempts to interview business people in the streets, which were often met with a great deal of animosity, the presenters often invite company representatives into the studio to discuss viewers' consumer problems. While those were frequently turned down, many companies used the opportunity to turn the situation around to their advantage, offering full apologies and refunds.
In the 2000s, it became common for company interviewees to be advised by media advisers.
Watchdog has also made use of hidden cameras and recording equipment, in the manner of investigative journalist
Roger CookRoger Cook is an investigative presenter, reporter and broadcaster.- Early life :His parents were New Zealanders, but he was was brought up in Australia, and began his career with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation as a reporter and newsreader on both radio and television.In 1968, he moved to...
.
Fitted plugs
In the late 1980s,
Watchdog investigations showed that numerous accidents were caused when the electrical plugs on new electrical appliances were incorrectly wired. At the time, all new electrical goods were sold with bare wires and customers were expected to fit plugs themselves. These investigations led to a British law forcing all manufacturers selling electrical products in the UK to supply them with fitted plugs.
Hoover free flights
In 1992 and 1993,
The Hoover CompanyThe Hoover Company started out as an American floor care manufacturer based in North Canton, Ohio. It also established a major base in the United Kingdom and for most of the early-and-mid-20th century, it dominated the electric vacuum cleaner industry, to the point where the "hoover" brand name...
introduced a "free flights" offer whereby any customer spending over £100 would receive two free flights to
New YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Due to an overwhelming response, many people did not receive their tickets and were denied the opportunity to take their free flights. After hundreds of complaints to
Watchdog, an investigation by reporter Simon Walton revealed that the company in charge of processing applications was trying to deny customers their free flights in an effort to stem the rising costs. This quickly became headline news and Hoover were forced to give all customers the flights, costing them an estimated £40 million and the jobs of all the board members.
Pop-Tarts
A special episode of Watchdog was dedicated to the issue of the temperature of Kellogg's
Pop-TartsPop-Tarts is a brand of rectangular, pre-baked toaster pastries made by the Kellogg Company. Pop-Tarts have a sugary filling sealed inside two layers of rectangular, thin pastry crust. Some varieties are frosted. Although sold pre-cooked, they are designed to be warmed inside a toaster or...
, featuring a studio full of people who had burnt their tongues whilst eating them immediately after being toasted. The conclusion was that those eating Pop-Tarts should make sure to leave the snacks to cool down before eating.
Auction World.tv
Television sales channel
Auction World.tvAuction World.tv was a British television channel which auctioned a variety of products by telephone bidding.The channel claimed to sell high-quality products at very low prices and promised reliable delivery, however doubt was cast over these claims after investigations reported by papers and...
failed to deliver goods or offer refunds to over 27,000 customers in the early 2000s. Investigations by
Watchdog forced refunds and the closure of the channel.
The Accident Group
This company was exposed by
Watchdog after secret filming revealed it was encouraging members of the public to make bogus claims for
personal injuryPersonal injury is a legal term for an injury to the body, mind or emotions, as opposed to an injury to property. The term is most commonly used to refer to a type of tort lawsuit alleging that the plaintiff's injury has been caused by the negligence of another, but also arises in defamation...
compensation. As a result, The Accident Group went out of business, sacking its staff by sending them text messages.
Direct Kitchens, Kitchens and Maple Industries
Direct Kitchens, Kitchens and Maple Industries are all companies that are or have been based at Maple Mill, in
OldhamOldham is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amid the Pennines on elevated ground between the rivers Irk and Medlock, south-southeast of Rochdale, and northeast of the city of Manchester...
,
Greater ManchesterGreater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England, with a population of 2.6 million. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises ten metropolitan boroughs: Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Wigan, and the...
and headed by controversial entrepreneur
Vance MillerVance Miller is an entrepreneur from Rochdale, in North West England. Miller, whose "business practices have attracted controversy", has been referred to in the media as The Kitchen Gangster.-Biography:...
. The companies have been investigated by
Watchdog on several occasions. Miller, who has a string of convictions in several countries. has been branded by the media as the "Kitchen Gangster", became the first person in Britain to be handed a ‘Stop Now’ order by the
Office of Fair TradingThe Office of Fair Trading is a not-for-profit and non-ministerial government department of the United Kingdom, established by the Fair Trading Act 1973, which enforces both consumer protection and competition law, acting as the UK's economic regulator...
after consistently supplying kitchens which were not sold as advertised. Miller is currently banned from being the director of any company in the UK, but, in October 2006, he admitted on
Watchdog that he is heading his latest company Maple Industries and trying his best to correct previous mistakes
Watchdog confirming that complaints were being addressed.
Transmission details
| Series | Start date | End date | Episodes |
| 1 |
14 July 1985 |
6 October 1985 |
13 |
| 2 |
24 November 1986 |
15 May 1987 |
101 |
| 3 |
15 November 1987 |
23 May 1988 |
24 |
| 4 |
3 October 1988 |
10 April 1989 |
24 |
| 5 |
4 September 1989 |
18 December 1989 |
16 |
| 6 |
1 October 1990 |
4 February 1991 |
17 |
| 7 |
30 September 1991 |
13 April 1992 |
24 |
| 8 |
7 September 1992 |
5 April 1993 |
28 |
| 9 |
6 September 1993 |
23 May 1994 |
35 |
| 10 |
5 September 1994 |
1 May 1995 |
32 |
| 11 |
4 September 1995 |
25 March 1996 |
28 |
| 12 |
5 September 1996 |
27 March 1997 |
29 |
| 13 |
4 September 1997 |
9 April 1998 |
40 |
| 14 |
10 September 1998 |
8 April 1999 |
29 |
| 15 |
9 September 1999 |
4 May 2000 |
34 |
| 16 |
5 October 2000 |
26 April 2001 |
29 |
| 17 |
13 September 2001 |
9 April 2002 |
29 |
| 18 |
3 September 2002 |
6 May 2003 |
30 |
| 19 |
2 September 2003 |
27 April 2004 |
30 |
| 20 |
7 September 2004 |
12 April 2005 |
30 |
| 21 |
6 September 2005 |
9 May 2006 |
34 |
| 22 |
3 October 2006 |
2 May 2007 |
29 |
| 23 |
3 October 2007 |
12 May 2008 |
30 |
| 24 |
13 October 2008 |
18 May 2009 |
30 |
| 25 |
10 September 2009 |
12 November 2009 |
10 |
| 26 |
6 May 2010 |
10 June 2010 |
10 |
| 27 |
9 September 2010 |
25 November 2010 |
10 |
| 28 |
7 April 2011 |
26 May 2011 |
8 |
| 29 |
1 September 2011 |
20 October 2011 |
8 |
Series 2 was the
Watchdog Daily format.
Spin-offs
- Watchdog Healthcheck – about health and health matters, presented by Judith Hann
Judith Hann at Littleover, Derby, Derbyshire, England, is a freelance broadcaster and writer specialising in science, food and the environment.-Education:...
and later by Alice BeerAlice Beer is an English television presenter, and was educated at the North London Collegiate School, a girls' independent school in Edgware, Middlesex.-Career:...
- Weekend Watchdog
- Watchdog: Are You Being Served?
- Value for Money - mainly about shopping, presented by Vanessa Feltz
Vanessa Jane Feltz is an English television personality, broadcaster and journalist. She currently presents an early morning radio show on BBC Radio 2, a mid morning phone-in show on BBC London 94.9. In 2011, she started hosting The Vanessa Show on Channel 5. The first series ended on June 24th...
and Charlotte HudsonCharlotte Hudson is a British television presenter. She presents the Sky One television series Brainiac: History Abuse, a spin-off from the award-winning Brainiac: Science Abuse...
- Face Value – about the fashion industry, presented by Alice Beer
- The Big Dinner - about the food industry, presented by Jonathan Maitland
Jonathan Maitland is a British broadcaster, writer and author.-Early life:He was educated at Epsom College, and holds a law degree from King's College London.-Journalism:...
- On the House
- Short Change
Short Change was a consumer affairs programme for children, broadcast on BBC One and later also the CBBC Channel. It was essentially a version of the prime-time show Watchdog except that it was aimed at children. The show was first aired on 20 February 1994...
– about consumer affairs aimed at children between 7-16 year-olds, originally presented by Zoë BallZoë Louise Ball is an English television and radio personality, most famous for becoming the first female host of the BBC Radio 1 breakfast show and for her earlier work presenting the 1990s children's show, Live & Kicking.-TV career:The daughter of the children's TV presenter Johnny Ball and his...
, then Andi PetersAndi Eleazu Peters is an English television presenter and television producer.-Education:Peters was educated at Emanuel School, a co-educational independent school in Battersea, in south-west London.-Life and career:...
, then Tim VincentTim Vincent is a Welsh actor and television presenter who was a presenter on the popular children's programme Blue Peter between 1993 and 1997...
, and up until recently, Angellica BellAngellica Bell is a British television and radio presenter.-Early life:Born in 1976 of St. Lucian heritage, Bell was educated in Ealing, West London at Notting Hill & Ealing High School. She later earned her BA Honours degree in Politics.-Television career:2000–2006Bell joined CBBC in May 2000...
. It is now presented by Thalia PellegriniThalia Pellegrini is a British television presenter.She graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in English studies. She presents programmes including CBBC's Newsround, Short Change, Fast Track and has reported for the BBC's Holiday programme. She moved to Sheffield in 2005 where...
, Rhodri OwenRhodri Owen is a Welsh born and Welsh speaking radio and television presenter.-Biography:Owen was brought up in Gower, Swansea in a Welsh language speaking family, which is his first language...
and Ortis. Many complaints include problems with service, bad deals, and being generally ripped-off
- Rogue Traders - Undercover series examining con artists and cowboy workers
- Rogue Restaurants - Undercover series examining restaurants where it goes wrong and gives good advice
See also
- Rogue Traders
- Points of View
Points of View is a long-running television show shown in the United Kingdom on BBC One, featuring the letters of viewers offering praise, criticism and purportedly witty observations on the television of recent weeks...
- That's Life!
That's Life! was a magazine-style television series on BBC1 between 26 May 1973 and 19 June 1994, presented by Esther Rantzen throughout the entire run, with various changes of co-presenters. The show was generally recorded about an hour prior to transmission, which was originally on Saturday...
- Don't Get Done, Get Dom
Don't Get Done, Get Dom is a British reality television series which helps consumers get good deals when purchasing goods. The show lends its name from its presenter Dominic Littlewood. It is aired on BBC One and repeated on BBC Two in the UK....
- Crimewatch
Crimewatch is a long-running and high-profile British television programme produced by the BBC, that reconstructs major unsolved crimes with a view to gaining information from the members of the public. The programme is usually broadcast once a month on BBC One...
- Marketplace
Marketplace is a Canadian television series, broadcast on CBC Television. Launched in 1972, the series is a consumer advocacy newsmagazine, which shows investigative reports on issues such as product testing, health and safety, fraudulent business practices and other news issues of interest to...
- Fair Go
Fair Go is a New Zealand consumer affairs television program now co-hosted by Gordon Harcourt and Alison Mau. First aired in 1977, it is one of New Zealand's longest-running and highest-rated programmes, frequently placed high in the New Zealand TV Guide list of most viewed programs.Fair Go...
External links