AT&T May Have Swayed ‘Idol’ Results

[johnnymk]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/business/media/27idol.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

LOS ANGELES — AT&T, one of the biggest corporate sponsors of “American Idol,” might have influenced the outcome of this year’s competition by providing phones for free text-messaging services and lessons in casting blocks of votes at parties organized by fans of Kris Allen, the Arkansas singer who was the winner of the show last week.

Representatives of AT&T, whose mobile phone network is the only one that can be used to cast “American Idol” votes via text message, provided the free text-messaging services at two parties in Arkansas after the final performance episode of “American Idol” last week, according to the company and people at the events.

There appear to have been no similar efforts to provide free texting services to supporters of Adam Lambert, who finished as the runner-up to Mr. Allen.

Since then, angry supporters of Mr. Lambert have flooded online chat boards with messages claiming irregularities in the competition’s voting.

Officials of Fox Broadcasting declined to discuss the situation. In a statement issued Tuesday, a spokesman for AT&T said, “In Arkansas, we were invited to attend the local watch parties organized by the community. A few local employees brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested.”

Details of the voting support were first reported last week in an article in The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Representatives of AT&T helped fans of Mr. Allen at the two Arkansas events by providing instructions on how to send 10 or more text messages at the press of a single button, known as power texts. Power texts have an exponentially greater effect on voting than do single text messages or calls to the show’s toll-free phone lines. The efforts appear to run afoul of “American Idol” voting rules in two ways. The show broadcasts an on-screen statement at the end of each episode warning that blocks of votes cast using “technical enhancements” that unfairly influence the outcome of voting can be thrown out.

And the show regularly states that text voting is open only to AT&T subscribers and is subject to normal rates.

[VTGreg]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/27/business/media/27idol.html?_r=1&th&emc=th

LOS ANGELES — AT&T, one of the biggest corporate sponsors of “American Idol,” might have influenced the outcome of this year’s competition by providing phones for free text-messaging services and lessons in casting blocks of votes at parties organized by fans of Kris Allen, the Arkansas singer who was the winner of the show last week.

Representatives of AT&T, whose mobile phone network is the only one that can be used to cast “American Idol” votes via text message, provided the free text-messaging services at two parties in Arkansas after the final performance episode of “American Idol” last week, according to the company and people at the events.

There appear to have been no similar efforts to provide free texting services to supporters of Adam Lambert, who finished as the runner-up to Mr. Allen.

Since then, angry supporters of Mr. Lambert have flooded online chat boards with messages claiming irregularities in the competition’s voting.

Officials of Fox Broadcasting declined to discuss the situation. In a statement issued Tuesday, a spokesman for AT&T said, “In Arkansas, we were invited to attend the local watch parties organized by the community. A few local employees brought a small number of demo phones with them and provided texting tutorials to those who were interested.”

Details of the voting support were first reported last week in an article in The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Representatives of AT&T helped fans of Mr. Allen at the two Arkansas events by providing instructions on how to send 10 or more text messages at the press of a single button, known as power texts. Power texts have an exponentially greater effect on voting than do single text messages or calls to the show’s toll-free phone lines. The efforts appear to run afoul of “American Idol” voting rules in two ways. The show broadcasts an on-screen statement at the end of each episode warning that blocks of votes cast using “technical enhancements” that unfairly influence the outcome of voting can be thrown out.

And the show regularly states that text voting is open only to AT&T subscribers and is subject to normal rates.

Yawn. Do these people not have anything better to do? First, who knows if the votes weren't thrown out because they were cast in blocks and second, losing is actually better for Adam as he isn't tied to a contract the first year.

It amazes me how serious some people take this show (and others).

[Prngr44]

It amazes me how serious some people take this show (and others).

Still haven't seen it once. I did watch Youtube clips of William Hung though.

[DarkFury]

Honstly, I gave up on American Idol a long time ago (since I do think that the whole voting system is flawed).

The only thing it's good for now, is the outtakes from the casting series where we get to laugh at the "rejects".

[guiseppewv]

Still haven't seen it once.

:stupid:

[mojo]

is that the one where someone hits a gong and the contestant has to get off the stage?

[johnnymk]

is that the one where someone hits a gong and the contestant has to get off the stage?

No/ it's the one where a tune is played and a contestant must name it.

[DarkFury]

No/ it's the one where a tune is played and a contestant must name it.
No No No...

Truly it is the one where Ed McMahon comes out and says... "The judges give that performance... 3 1/2 stars..."

[GraingerGuy]

Nah...it's like that one where if you get booed, you get a guy (clown?) coming out with a cane....or broom...or anything else that guy decides to use to shoo you off stage. :)

[Markel]

I thought it was the one sponsored by Geritol where at the beginning the host always says, "And now it's time to spin the wheel of fortune...round and round she goes, where she stops nobody knows."

[Devhux]

.....why am I continuing this?

I thought it was "Adam Lambert, come on down! You're the next contestant on...." :)

[Thesifer]

Why is this show still on? And seriously, is this the only way we can find talent in America anymore?

[VTGreg]

Why is this show still on? And seriously, is this the only way we can find talent in America anymore?

The show is still on because more people vote for American Idol than the POTUS.

[Markel]

A bit back on the topic of this thread (SHOCK!!!!) -- we were talking about this at the dinner table, and one of my kids mentioned that the second place finisher actually has greater freedom to pursue "fame" (i.e., whatever contracts, etc., he wants to take on) because the first place finisher is obliged to the agreements of the show. So it may be that whoever was behind the AT&T "ballot stuffing" might have had an ulterior motive.

[DarkFury]

The show is still on because more people vote for American Idol than the POTUS.
They don't have to leave their homes to vote for American Idol... any phone will do and nothing stops one person from making multiple votes.

Can you even imagine phoning in your vote for POTUS. Wow... that would be a mess for sure (as far as making sure one person, one vote goes...)

[VTGreg]

A bit back on the topic of this thread (SHOCK!!!!) -- we were talking about this at the dinner table, and one of my kids mentioned that the second place finisher actually has greater freedom to pursue "fame" (i.e., whatever contracts, etc., he wants to take on) because the first place finisher is obliged to the agreements of the show. So it may be that whoever was behind the AT&T "ballot stuffing" might have had an ulterior motive.

Yeah, it definitely works out the best for all parties. The guy who lost will get a contract where he isn't as locked in and the guy who won gets a contract for the year to try to make it. The only collateral damage is the reputation of voting on American Idol, which doesn't really matter.

[gear02]

Yeah, it definitely works out the best for all parties. The guy who lost will get a contract where he isn't as locked in and the guy who won gets a contract for the year to try to make it. The only collateral damage is the reputation of voting on American Idol, which doesn't really matter.

All I care is how a lot of American Idol competitors are doing musicals after the show. It's great for Broadway and it brings a more mainstream audience to the shows.

[Thesifer]

The show is still on because more people vote for American Idol than the POTUS.

Thankfully. I'm glad most of them aren't voting.