Network Nine has been forced to defend a jackpot prize giveaway of $130,000 to a Today viewer, after an online petition purported that the whole thing was a "scam".
Josh Huxley, of Halekulani, just north of Wyong on New South Wales' central coast, won the huge pool of money after answering his phone with the "I wake up with Today" catchphrase early on Wednesday morning. Shortly afterwards he was seen on camera, which for one viewer, Coralie Allan from Gilston in Queensland, indicated that either:
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Today Show's Block of Cash Giveaway 'scam'
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Channel Nine is forced to defend a jackpot prize giveaway of $130,000 after an online petition called the whole thing a "scam".
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Today Show's Block of Cash Giveaway 'scam'
Channel Nine is forced to defend a jackpot prize giveaway of $130,000 after an online petition called the whole thing a "scam".
"The competition was closed – yet Channel 9 was still making money from people calling in up until the actual segment," said her Change.org petition to the NSW liquor, gaming and racing office.
"[Or] the winner was chosen in advance – so entrants were disadvantaged from the beginning and there entries were null and void, in spite of having paid for them, as evidenced by the 'planted' TV crew in attendance."
Judging by Mr Huxley's reaction he was unaware of his win leading up to the phone call, telling Today, "I just woke up, I can't believe it."
Mr Huxley was heard saying "My wife's screaming" as a camera crew entered his home, and he was spotted on the couch, fully dressed, holding his mobile phone while talking to Today hosts Lisa Wilkinson, Karl Stefanovic, Sylvia Jeffreys, Richard Wilkins and Tim Gilbert.
"You don't know this but we had a crew outside your door and you're on the telly right now," Wilkinson said to much mirth from the studio.
"I'm shaking, sorry. Unbelievable, I can't believe it," a gobsmacked Mr Huxley replied.
It turned out he had been trying for six weeks, when the call finally came at 7.50am.
Ms Allan was suspicious of Today, claiming: "Twenty minutes before the supposed 'random' call, the hosts of the show were encouraging people to call in and enter as there was supposedly still time to be in the draw.
"The terms and conditions on their website, state that 'Competition days close 16.30 AEDT each Sun-Thurs up until 18/05/17. Draws at 17.00 AEDT/AEST on each competition day. Cash calls made following day Mon-Fri up until 19/05/17.
"Yet on the morning of 10/05/2017, the hosts were encouraging people to ring in and enter at a cost of $0.55 cents per call or sms, knowing that the competition for that draw had closed."
Fairfax Media has reviewed Wednesday morning's show, including 20 minutes before the call, the time that was specified in the petition.
At that point, Wilkinson is handed an envelope containing the name of the person who could win the $130,000 if they answer their phone correctly.
A generic advertisement for the daily Block of Cash giveaway is also played around that time, urging people to call in to register, but at no point does it state that the caller would be in the running for that day's giveaway.
Ms Allan has taken issue with prize giveaways before, posting to 2UE Radio's Facebook page that: "Paul [Kidd] made a mistake this morning that cost my Dad the competition. He asked the question: 'What is the largest animal to ever walk the earth?' My Dad rang up and said the Titanosaur – which actually is the largest animal to ever walk the earth. It is not the Blue Whale, because a blue whale does not walk on earth. My Dad should have won."
The Daily Mail Australia reported on her current Change.org petition (which had 56 supporters at the time of this publication), which called for Channel 9 to "refund all monies to entrants for the 'I wake up with Today' scam".
The show's Facebook page had also been inundated with angry and suspicious comments.
One person wrote: "Surely that was a set up? He answered so quickly and then within seconds a camera was in his house. Who let the camera crew in. It just seems so strange. Everything went so smoothly, the satellite was in sync with the phone, he seemed like he was already camera trained and knew that he had to jump up off the couch, turn around and face the camera. It just all looked rehearsed."
One viewer posted: "Disgusting! shame on you today show. you accepted my money, my entry and thousands of other peoples, only to find out you clearly already knew who you were going to call. deceitful as far as I'm concerned. so disappointed in this show now!"
A Nine spokesperson has since issued the following statement: "There have been some inaccurate reports regarding this morning's Block of Cash giveaway on the TODAY show.
"To correct any misinformation and concerns, Nine reaffirms the competition is run in accordance with clearly stated terms and conditions to protect all entrants and ensure fairness in the operations.
"As a live television show, when it is possible to have a crew in the vicinity of the call recipient, and if they answer the call correctly, we are able to capture the reaction as soon as possible.
"Often, the public is unaware of the presence of a crew because the call is not answered in time.
"When there is a moment of joy to be shared, we endeavour to do so with our viewers."
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