ABC’s Media Watch has drawn attention to the Capital Radio Network over competitions to win overseas concert experiences where the winners’ responses were injected into each of the three stations’ breakfast shows to sound as if it were local.

Watch below:

The question is, is this a big deal, or no deal at all?

In a statement provided to Media Watch within the story, Josh Matthews, the Chief Operating Officer of the Capital Radio Network, said that the T&Cs clearly state it was a Network wide contest. But someone was uncomfortable enough to call Media Watch after hearing the same winner response being used across slightly different variations in questioning on 3GG in Gippsland Victoria, 2CA* in Canberra and 6IX in Perth.

We are in the business of radio where there are many elements that are theatre of the mind. When you realise some parts are pre-recorded, edited or networked, and not live and local, it can feel a little bit like discovering Santa wasn’t real. Most of us will have been involved in a situation somewhat similar to this, from getting a mate to call in for a phoner, to pre-recording your last hour on air to allow time for one of your other roles at the station.

What are your feelings on the matter?

Jen Seyderhelm is a writer, editor and podcaster for radioinfo

*Jen is a previous employee of this station and network.