Radio competition winning phone calls

[screamingsiblings]

Not really an AIBU, but more of a 'how does it work?' question.
I listen to a radio station that is doing that Cash Call money competition where you can win hundreds of thousands of pounds each week.
The thing I wonder about is how the winning phone call works. I get that what we hear won't be live, but how come no-one ever has a dodgy line quality, or is in the car, or has noise in the background like kids or traffic??
Has anyone ever been the lucky recipient of a winning phone call?

NC for this as everyone I know knows about it. I won a radio competition in 2024, it wasn't cash though, it was a long-haul holiday for 2 people. It was one of those 'fill in your email address and phone number' things on Instagram, I did it and thought no more of it. I actually completely forgot about it until my phone rang one morning - I nearly didn't answer as it was a random number and I thought it was sales spam or something. I happened to be at home at the time and I did answer it for whatever reason. I nearly hung up again though because all I could hear was a man's voice yelling excitedly at me, I couldn't make out what he was saying at all, I was looking at the phone completely baffled and just saying 'what?' 'sorry, what?' 😄 I was about to hang up when he stopped shouting and said 'are you (my name)?' 'Yes' 'You entered the 'xyz holiday' competition on Greatest Hits Radio and you've won!' - I genuinely couldn't remember which competition he was talking about and it was all a bit mad so I was like 'sorry, what? is this real?' - It clearly wasn't the excited screaming response they wanted because after he said yes it's real in a slightly exasperated tone they made me do it all again from the start 😄 I told them I'm not the excited screaming type but when he said 'you've won!' on take two I tried. I could tell they were underwhelmed by my 'oh wow! no way! that's amazing!' performance though 😂 There was a bit of awkward small talk and I also had to choose from two destination options for the holiday. He said it would be played on the radio the next day but I did not listen to it!

Anyway, afterwards I was told to stay on the line to check my email address then I was contacted a few days later to arrange everything via email. Flights, transfers and accommodation were all included, I just had to pick dates and departure airport etc. Went on the holiday last year and had a fabulous time. I've entered loads more competitions since then but so far lightning hasn't struck twice 😄

We know someone well who won a significant amount by answering the phone with a certain phrase. Amazing - and it couldn't have happened to a nicer person (except me maybe?!!)

Is that the heart one? Ive heard a few people miss out because they just answer with "hello". Must be so gutting cause so easily done!

Not sure tbh - but it was a specific phrase, and he used it!

RadioWinner That's really funny & how great for you

I won 2 tickets for a show once, I was in my early 20's, just listening one night & it was one of those 'Call when you hear the song' ones, I heard the song & thought 'Why not? It's not like I'll win!'

They answered instantly & it was just like 'Hello? The reason you are calling?' & I said something like 'That song is playing & you said to call in if we heard it' then he asked my name, then said 'You heard the song, you made the call & now you've won 2 tickets, how do you feel?' & I said something like 'Really? I've won? Oh. Ok. That's great.' In a flat kind of 'I don't believe this this real' tone.

They played the call on the radio after the song but cut off the first part so it was just 'Hello (my name) you heard the song, you made the call & now you've won the tickets' & me going 'Really? That's great' then they played a loud clip of the song & cheering to make it sound a bit more exiting

My mum was sat listening to the radio at the time & didn't even hear me on there

@RadioWinner that's amazing! Where did you go to?

It just makes me wonder as there is never any background noise. I'm always in my car at 5pm when they're supposed to call for the comp I've entered (£400k) and I always wonder what would happen if they called me (some hope!!) whilst I was driving.

We went to the Caribbean, 5* all expenses paid for 7 nights, it was fabulous!

The guy that won last week was in the car with his wife. You could hear it was slightly echo-ee from the hands free.

I think if you swear with excitement they call someone else apparently it’s in the ts and cs- I would be cut straight off!

Last week was the first time I've missed hearing the winning call - typical.
It MUST be my turn to win tomorrow!!!!

I heard a woman answering / winning once and she was in the middle of Tescos, you could hear a bit of background noise!

My friend won one last year, iirc it was around £400,000 It was a call from a radio station. The money was in her account in under an hour, but they also offered financial advice.

Rhuaridh Macknight

Rhuaridh Macknight

There was a follow up interview on Radio X with one of the cash call winners (I think it is across all their stations). It sounded like the initial call was with someone in the office and then they were put on the radio. So perhaps enough time to at least turn off the TV / radio / move to a quiet room if you are at home.

I've heard more than one call where the person has been driving. For one, the guy had just set off from home and turned straight around to go back and tell his wife. Obviously as they pre record them they can cut any inadvertent swearing though.

Do you have to reveal your name? I’d be worried that I’d get every hanger on turning up at my door demanding money.

Wow! My friend won £10k on one last year. I didn't ask any details though!

NOT big cash prize but I won a local radio prize for a local venue and I was sitting in a supermarket cafe when they called. The presenter said “where are you? it sounds noisy!” but once I explained I was holding a sleeping baby he understood I wasn’t going to move, so we cracked on with the cringey interview and I just tried to speak up a bit. If I’d not had DC in my arms I assume he’d have asked me to move somewhere a bit quieter, so that’s probably why most interviews are ok? Plus they’re pre-recorded so presumably background noise can be edited out.