Idol Text Success
On May 22, Dallas-based AT&T announced that over 178 million text messages were transmitted over its network in connection with season eight of American Idol. Fans of America's No. 1 TV show used AT&T's network to answer trivia questions, submit questions to AT&T-hosted chat sessions, receive voting number reminders, and participate in AT&T sweepstakes. Of course, American Idol fans also use the network to submit votes!
During season eight, fans used AT&T's network more than ever before. Total sent messages increased from 78 million during season seven, to 178 million during season eight. More than twice as many AT&T subscribers participated in weekly American Idol trivia games via text message the season, compared to last season. The percent of AT&T customers who utilized voting number reminders - a weekly text message listing AI contestants' voting numbers - increased by 70% since 2008. American Idol fans who utilized voting number reminders during season eight sent almost twice as many text votes, compared to the average AI voter.
In addition, season eight American Idol contestants dominated AT&T's ringtone charts. During the week of May 10, AI ringtones occupied 15 of AT&T's top 100 positions.
"American Idol is a smash hit with our customers, so just as FOX raises the bar every year for the show, every season we work to bring our customers new ways to get their IDOL fix through our products and services," said Andy Wilson, Vice President of National Marketing for AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "We feel this season was our best yet, evidenced not only by heavy texting traffic but in the great response to the other terrific IDOL-related content we made available."
Additionally, AT&T's Million Dollar Idol Sweepstakes was a hit with AI fans. Kori Hoesel won the grand prize - a trip to the American Idol season finale. Hoesel, from Friendswood, Texas, brought her daughter to the event.