{
  "id": 17997535,
  "title": "Ticketek, Virgin and 'protein chips' win big at annual Shonky Awards",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/03/ticketek-virgin-and-protein-chips-win-big-at-annual-shonky-awards",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-03T17:04:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-11-04/choice-hands-shonky-awards-to-virgin-sony-ticketing-giants/107329220"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026 Shonky Awards, presented by consumer group Choice, recognized the worst products and services of the year. Ticketek and Ticketmaster received their second Shonky each, for their ticket pricing tactics. Ticketek was criticized for dynamic pricing, which resulted in extravagant ticket prices for John Farnham Tribute concerts, while Ticketmaster charged extra for in-demand seats. Virgin Australia won its first Shonky for holding $75 million worth of expired flight credits, forcing customers to book by a fixed deadline and face penalties. Protein chips, a washer-dryer with 25-hour wash and dry times, Sony, and a pet insurer named Petcover also received Shonky Awards.",
  "summary": "Seven different companies have received the dishonour of being named in consumer group Choice's annual Shonky Awards handed to the worst products and services of the year.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}