 The Sunday Times said spy drama Spooks featured prominent brands |
The BBC has launched an investigation into a newspaper report claiming companies pay thousands of pounds to have their products featured on screen. The Sunday Times said businesses gave up to �40,000 a year to "brand placement" agencies who secured exposure for their goods on BBC shows.
"The BBC has very clear guidelines about product placement," a statement from the corporation said.
"We take any breach of these guidelines extremely seriously."
An "immediate investigation" into the allegations had been launched, it added.
'Budget cuts'
The Sunday Times said large companies paid prop agencies to arrange for their products to be featured in a prominent or positive way in BBC programmes.
Programme-makers agreed so they would get free use of goods such as cars and electronics to cut down their budgets, according to the report.
One producer agreed to feature a product in return for travel costs, the paper said.
The BBC's editorial guidelines say producers must not feature products in return for cash or services, and any brands that are shown must be editorially justified and given limited exposure.
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