Bruised Egos, Not Broken Bones, Are the Reality of TV Risk; Both Ratings & Lawsuits Soar for Reality Shows, Prompting Need for Lawsuit Protection, Says IINC.Entertainment Editors LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 25, 2003 Shifting its focus from extreme stunts to surreal encounters, reality television has scored high ratings by pushing the envelope to catch contestants in compromising situations. But as the ratings surge, so do the lawsuits. As reality shows have become a television staple, hot spots hot spots acute moist dermatitis. for risk have shifted from broken limbs to broken promises and from daredevil stunts to elaborate pranks, prompting otherwise mild-mannered contestants to seek financial comfort in local courts. In the past year, reality productions have been mired mire n. 1. An area of wet, soggy, muddy ground; a bog. 2. Deep slimy soil or mud. 3. A disadvantageous or difficult condition or situation: the mire of poverty. v. in litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. claiming defamation of character, copyright infringement Noun 1. copyright infringement - a violation of the rights secured by a copyright infringement of copyright plagiarisation, plagiarization, piracy, plagiarism - the act of plagiarizing; taking someone's words or ideas as if they were your own , invasion of privacy invasion of privacy n. the intrusion into the personal life of another, without just cause, which can give the person whose privacy has been invaded a right to bring a lawsuit for damages against the person or entity that intruded. , emotional and physical abuse and "rigging" of results. Insurance packages for reality programs traditionally have included large doses of general liability insurance, which covers all types of vehicles and any accidental death or dismemberment dismemberment /dis·mem·ber·ment/ (dis-mem´ber-ment) amputation of a limb or a portion of it. dismemberment amputation of a limb or a portion of it. . However, the new breed of reality shows relies on heavy doses of errors and omissions errors and omissions n. short-hand for malpractice insurance which gives physicians, attorneys, architects, accountants and other professionals coverage for claims by patients and clients for alleged professional errors and omissions which amount to negligence. coverage, which protects producers against defamation of character claims filed by contestants. "As reality shows draw ordinary contestants into extraordinary situations, producers have sought extra insurance to survive the rise in lawsuits," said Candysse Miller, executive director of the Insurance Information Network of California. "A continuation of this litigation trend could drive the cost of these insurance packages up, or even drive some insurers out of the reality television market." Prices for most entertainment insurance packages range from 3 and 5 percent of the project's total budget. This price is generally a starting point for risk-heavy reality shows, however. Costs increase based on the severity of the exposures. Although insurance companies rarely tell producers how to craft their shows, if a prank or a stunt cannot be insured, it typically will not be performed. With every new twist on compromising situations and new angle on hidden cameras, producers will seek insurers for the last word on coverage. Producers, however, still have the last word on taste, or lack thereof. The Insurance Information Network of California is a non-profit, non-lobbying media relations organization supporting the property/casualty insurance industry. IINC IINC Insurance Information Network of California has spokespeople in both Northern and Southern California to discuss this and other insurance issues. To schedule an interview, call media relations at (800) 397-1679. |
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