Channel One News is back to their “kiddie marketing” tricks. They have announced a new contest. The impression is they are giving away tons of stuff to get kids to enter. They don’t call it a “contest” but rather a “sweepstakes”! Wow.
This “sweepstakes” is all about wringing personally identifiable information (PII) from young people. [“Through on-screen instructions you will be asked to provide information during the registration process including your complete name, full mailing address, email address, and date of birth, and submit.”] Channel One and their parent company Alloy will then use this information internally for their own marketing efforts and they may also share with third parties.
It’s no secret that Channel One is financially running out of gas. There is no clearer confirmation of that than the prizes being awarded in this bold new “sweepstakes.” Sorry, not “prizes” but one prize.
8. Sweepstakes Prizes:
One (1) Grand prize – The (1) Grand prize winner of the Sweepstakes will be awarded recording artist branded apparel, compact disc(s) and/or other merchandise or memorabilia (Approximate retail value or “ARV” $25.00). Total ARV of Grand prize: $25.00.
Those compact disc(s), apparel, and other stuff must be pretty pathetic if it all adds up to an approximate retail value (ARV) of twenty-five bucks. There is no second or third prize. There’s just on “grand prize” and that prize really stretches the word “grand” beyond recognition.
When it comes to getting personally identifiable information from children there are few companies as effective as Channel One and their parent company Alloy Media and Marketing. Few young people will click on the official rules of this contest much less actually read the long document. They won’t know there is one twenty-five dollar prize. There will assume this “sweepstakes” is a sweepstakes. So Channel One will rake in thousands of young people’s names, street address, email addresses and birthday information for peanuts.
Channel One will obviously come back and say this is a weekly contest so they are giving away more like (drum roll, please) a $100.00 worth of prizes a month. In a month’s time they may be able to gather information of tens of thousands of young people all for chump change.
HEAR IT NOW WEEKLY SWEEPSTAKES RULES
Updated: August 15, 2011
OFFICIAL RULES
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.
1. Promotion Description: THE ENTRY PERIOD FOR THE “HEAR IT NOW” SWEEPSTAKES O.A.R. (“SWEEPSTAKES”) BEGINS ON AUGUST 15, 2011 AT 12:00 PM EASTERN TIME (“ET”) AND ENDS ON AUGUST 22, 2011 AT 11:59 AM ET (THE “PROMOTION PERIOD”).
2. Sponsor and Administrator: Channel One, LLC (“Sponsor”) is the sponsor and administrator of the Sweepstakes. Entrants should contact Sponsor with any questions, comments or problems related to the Sweepstakes.
3. Eligibility: The Sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the forty-eight (48) contiguous United States (Alaska and Hawaii are excluded) who are 13 to 25 years of age (each such person entering the Sweepstakes is referred to herein as “you”, “your” or “Entrant”). Eligible minors should obtain their parents’ or legal guardians’ permission prior to entering the Sweepstakes. Void in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, all other U.S. territories and possessions and wherever prohibited by law. Officers, directors, employees, independent contractors, representatives, agents (and such employees’ immediate family (spouse, parent, child, sibling and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) or household members, whether or not related) of Sponsor and its parents, affiliates, divisions, licensors, subsidiaries, prize suppliers, printers, distributors, and advertising and promotional agencies (collectively, the “Sweepstakes Entities”) are not eligible to participate in the Sweepstakes or win any prize.
4. How to Enter: To enter the Sweepstakes, go to Sponsor’s website, www.channelone.com (the “Sweepstakes Site”). Through on-screen instructions you will be asked to provide information during the registration process including your complete name, full mailing address, email address, and date of birth, and submit. The submitted registration information will be collectively referred to herein as your “Entry”.
All Entries must be received by the end of the Promotion Period to be eligible. The clocks incorporated into Sponsor’s servers shall be the determiner of all start and end times related to the Sweepstakes.
You may enter the Sweepstakes only once. All additional Entries will be disregarded. Use of computer programs, script, macro, bot, programmed, robotic, automatic and other similar means to enter the Sweepstakes or subvert the entry process is prohibited and may result in the disqualification of the Entrant and all associated Entries will be void.
5. Privacy: Personal information that you provide in connection with this Sweepstakes will be used solely to contact you if you are a potential winner or for other administration activities of the Sweepstakes. It will not be shared with any third parties, except as required by law.
6. Drawing: Potential winner will be selected on or about four (4) days following the end of the Promotion Period (“Drawing”) by Sponsor-designated impartial officials from among all eligible Entries received during the Promotion Period. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible Entries received.
7. Winner Notification: The potential winner will be notified by email or other means of communication determined by Sponsor on or about five (5) days following the Drawing (“Prize Notification”). Potential winner must respond to the Prize Notification within five (5) business days of date of notification (the “Response Deadline”) and, if requested, confirm (or at Sponsor’s discretion, if the potential winner is an eligible minor in his/her state of residence, then require a parent or legal guardian of such potential winner to confirm) his/her full name and a mailing address (no P.O. Boxes) (“Mailing Information”) where Sponsor can send an Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release (where legal) (collectively, the “Sweepstakes Documents”). Potential winner (or if the potential winner is an eligible minor in his/her state of residence, then parent or legal guardian of such potential winner) shall be required to sign and return the completed Sweepstakes Documents within five (5) business days of date of receipt of such documents. Following Sponsor’s timely receipt of the signed Sweepstakes Documents, provided that potential winner has complied with these Official Rules and meets all of the eligibility requirements set forth herein, as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, Sponsor shall declare the potential winner a “winner”. Any Prize Notification or Sweepstakes Documents not responded to or returned as undeliverable may result in prize forfeiture and Sponsor will have no further obligation to such winner. In the event of non-compliance with the Response Deadline or these Official Rules or if the prize, Sweepstakes Documents or Notification is returned, refused, or returned as undeliverable, or if Sponsor is unable to contact the potential winner within a reasonable time period, then prize will be forfeited and, at Sponsor’s sole discretion and time permitting, an alternate winner may be selected at random from the remaining eligible Entries. If the winner is an eligible minor, the prize may be awarded in the name of his/her parent or legal guardian (as applicable) who will be required to fulfill all requirements imposed on winner set forth herein.
8. Sweepstakes Prizes:
One (1) Grand prize – The (1) Grand prize winner of the Sweepstakes will be awarded recording artist branded apparel, compact disc(s) and/or other merchandise or memorabilia (Approximate retail value or “ARV” $25.00). Total ARV of Grand prize: $25.00.
Any gift certificates and/or gift cards awarded (if any) are subject to the terms and conditions of the issuer. There is no ARV assignable to an autographed, if such is included in a prize. Prizes cannot be transferred, redeemed for cash or substituted by winner. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize, or portion of a prize, for another prize of comparable or greater value, at its sole discretion. Prizes are awarded “AS IS” and without WARRANTY OR GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND, either express or implied by Sponsor (including without limitation, any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose). Acceptance, participation in and/or use of the prize is at the winner’s sole risk and the Released Parties (as defined below) are not responsible for any damages whatsoever, including special, indirect, or consequential damages, arising out of or in connection with the use and/or misuse of such prize. The ARV of a prize represents Sponsor’s good faith determination. That determination is final and binding and cannot be appealed. If the actual value of the prize turns out to be less than the stated ARV, the difference will not be awarded. All prize details are at Sponsor’s sole discretion.
9. General Conditions: The Sweepstakes is governed by the laws of New York, without regard to choice of law rules. All applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Prize will only be awarded and/or delivered to address within the United States. All applicable taxes, fees, and any other costs and expenses in connection with acceptance and use the prize not specified herein as being provided, including, but not limited to, all federal, state, and local taxes, are the sole responsibility of the winner. Winner may be issued a 1099 tax form for the ARV of the prize. Failure to comply with the Official Rules will result in forfeiture of the prize. If prize is forfeited, an alternate winner shall be selected from among the remaining eligible Entries. Winner (and his/her parent/legal guardian if winner is an eligible minor) agrees to sign and complete any additional documentation requested by Sponsor in addition to the Sweepstakes Documents. In the event a claim or dispute arises, in no event shall Entrant (or his/her parent or legal guardian if Entrant is an eligible minor) be entitled to equitable or injunctive relief and its sole remedy shall be in an action at law for damages.
Except where prohibited by law, if the winner, Entrant (and his/her parent or legal guardian if Entrant is an eligible minor) grants (and agrees to confirm that grant in writing) permission for Sponsor and its advertising and promotional agencies, and those acting under their authority to use such Entrant’s name, photograph, voice, image, biographical information, and/or likeness, performance, for use in any and all media and formats now known or hereafter discovered throughout the universe in perpetuity, without notice, review, approval, or additional compensation, including but not limited to promotional, advertising and/or publicity purposes in connection with the Sweepstakes. Entrants (and their parents or legal guardians if Entrants are eligible minors) further agree that the Sweepstakes Entities and each of their respective officers, directors, independent contractors, agents, representatives, shareholders and employees (collectively, “Released Parties”) will have no liability whatsoever for, and shall be released, indemnified and held harmless by Entrants (and their parent/legal guardians if Entrants are eligible minors) against, any and all liability for any injuries, loss or damage of any kind to persons, including death, or property damage resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, misuse or use of the prize or participation in the Sweepstakes, or any Sweepstakes-related activity or the Released Parties’ use of any of the rights granted herein. Released Parties expressly disclaim any responsibility or liability for injury or loss to any person or property in connection with the delivery and/or subsequent use of the prize awarded. Released Parties will not replace any lost or stolen prize items.
10. Conduct: Entrants (and, if eligible minors, their parents or legal guardians) agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor and judges, which are final and binding in all respects. Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify an Entrant if it finds that Entrant, or any other individual to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of any of the Sweepstakes or any website; to be acting in violation of these Official Rules; or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person and void all associated Entries. CAUTION: ANY DELIBERATE ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE SWEEPSTAKES IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES ANY OTHER REMEDIES (INCLUDING ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
11. Limitations of Liability: Released Parties are not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by website users or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes or by any technical or human error, which may occur in the processing of Entries in the Sweepstakes. Released Parties assume no responsibility for any misdirected, garbled, stolen, incomplete, inaccurate, delayed, late, undelivered, damaged or lost Entries, Prize Notification or Sweepstakes Documents, or any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to, or alteration of Entries. Released Parties are not responsible for any problems or technical malfunctions of any telephone, network, cable, satellite, Internet Service Provider, phone lines, computer on-line systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of email on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or combination thereof, or other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Sweepstakes, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Sweepstakes, the processing of Entries, the announcement of the prize, or in any Sweepstakes-related materials. Released Parties are also not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by site users, tampering, hacking, or by any equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Sweepstakes. Released Parties are not responsible for injury or damage to any person’s computer related to or resulting from participating in this Sweepstakes or downloading materials from or use of the website. Released Parties are also not responsible for any injury or damage to Entrants’ or to any other person’s computer related to or resulting from participating or downloading materials in any Sweepstakes. If, for any reason, any Sweepstakes is not capable of running as planned, including, without limitation, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of any Sweepstakes, then Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Sweepstakes at issue, and if terminated, at Sponsor’s discretion, perform the random drawing from among all eligible Entries received prior to or after such cancellation. In the event of a dispute concerning who registered online to participate in the Sweepstakes, the registration will be declared to have been made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted at the time of registration and he/she must comply with these Official Rules. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an internet provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, education institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the submitted email address. Potential winner may be requested to provide Sponsor with proof that the potential winner is the authorized account holder of the email address. If a dispute cannot be resolved to Sponsor’s satisfaction, the Entry will be deemed ineligible.
12. Winner’s Name and Rules: To obtain a legally required name of the winner of the Sweepstakes (available thirty (30) days following the Drawing) or a copy of these Official Rules by mail, send a self-addressed, stamped, #10 envelope to: “Hear It Now” Sweepstakes Series c/o Channel One, LLC, 151 West 26th Street, 9th floor, New York, NY 10001, for receipt no later than three (3) months following the Drawing. Please indicate “Winner’s Name” or “Official Rules” in the request as well as the name of the Sweepstakes set forth in the title of these Official Rules . VT residents may omit return postage on rules requests.
13. Sponsor: Channel One, LLC, 151 West 26th Street, 9th floor, New York, NY 10001.
