Can we use SMS to vote for American Idol? [Archive]

donblay

03-01-2006, 12:56 PM

I was wondering if we could use the SMS text option to vote for contestants on American Idol. When they give the txt number they always say Cingular customers can text, but are they just saying that because Cingular is thier sponsor, or is it really limited to Cingular phones?
Calling the voice numbers is such a pain because its impossible to get through.
Just thougth I'd ask to see what other people think or if anyone else has tried it.

SL-10

03-01-2006, 01:15 PM

I voted via Sprint's SMS system. I have no clue if it was received or not by American Idol tho?

Madisn

03-01-2006, 01:27 PM

No, according to the American Idol FAQ - SMS voting is reserved only for Cingular customers....
Text message voting is only available to Cingular Wireless subscribers with two-way text messaging capable handsets....If done correctly, you will receive a message confirming your vote. You will receive a message confirming your first valid vote during the voting window regardless of how many contestants you vote for, or how many votes you cast.

Sprint4EverBaby

03-01-2006, 01:40 PM

Madisn

03-01-2006, 01:46 PM

I too wonder about that. I thought these short (5 digit) numbers should work for anyone but who knows. I do wonder if the Sprint system has to be setup to deliver them properly. But I wonder because you see all those SMS #s on tv for ringtones and they supposedly work for all carriers.

I would think that SMS is SMS no matter where it was sent to or who sent it. It is probably in the contract between Fox/American Idol & Cingular that they will only accept (count) votes from cingular customers - but I imagine that they would have no problem with the actual reception of the msg from other providers.

virgoboy22

03-01-2006, 01:46 PM

Well, the little bar at the bottom of the TV screen says you can't send it with any other phone than one with a cingular carrier, so I'm assuming that it wouldn't work. But that's just common sense.

SL-10

03-01-2006, 01:59 PM

That is jacked up, I mean just to have only Cingular customers vote via SMS THAT is a bit bias IMHO.

deltatl6

03-02-2006, 08:24 AM

That is jacked up, I mean just to have only Cingular customers vote via SMS THAT is a bit bias IMHO.

Not if they are to prove that the population that uses cingular is roughly the same compared to the general population. (yay, i listened in class)

jivey

03-02-2006, 08:38 AM

I know I would definitely use SMS to vote instead of calling if we could.

vodeneal

03-02-2006, 09:08 AM

We can all go on the Cingular Website and send a text!

SL-10

03-02-2006, 09:39 AM

We can all go on the Cingular Website and send a text!
Great idea. :hee:

SL-10

03-02-2006, 09:52 AM

Not if they are to prove that the population that uses cingular is roughly the same compared to the general population. (yay, i listened in class)
I would love to see that info. But, to have only Cingular customers voting via SMS on American Idol is not a good sampling of the American public at large that use cellular services. Alienation of other carriers and their customers in American Idol's SMS voting process comes to my mind IMO.

gof

03-02-2006, 10:25 AM

I would love to see that info. But, to have only Cingular customers voting via SMS on American Idol is not a good sampling of the American public at large that use cellular services. Alienation of other carriers and their customers in American Idol's SMS voting process comes to my mind IMO.
I'd have to say:

a) the cell using population probably does best represent the VIEWING audience of American Idol.
b) As long as they get big $$ from Cingular for the sponsorship, the producers don't really care if the results are "biased" or not. It's not like they are submitting the results for academic review :rolleyes:

Redhed

03-02-2006, 10:34 AM

Exactly...besides, anyone who sleeps with Paula will win anyway :rolleyes:

SL-10

03-02-2006, 11:53 AM

Exactly...besides, anyone who sleeps with Paula will win anyway :rolleyes:

*dreams of that day* :fingers: :hee: :tu:

SL-10

03-02-2006, 11:59 AM

I'd have to say:

a) the cell using population probably does best represent the VIEWING audience of American Idol.
b) As long as they get big $$ from Cingular for the sponsorship, the producers don't really care if the results are "biased" or not. It's not like they are submitting the results for academic review :rolleyes:

Yep, and that is where the bias comes into play... Oh, well my vote doesn't count because I am a Sprint customer... :indiff:

Kegeril

03-02-2006, 12:06 PM

I would agree with most here SMS should just be SMS. I don't think Cingular users are a representation of the population. But think if everyone could vote via "FREE" text messages then noone in america would call and get charged all that money! So cingular probably pays a discounted promotional fee to allow their customers to vote for free and everyone else pays Simon when they call.

emusselman

03-04-2006, 04:11 PM

My guess:

It's all about money. American Idol probably has an exclusive agreement with Cingular. Count the number of times Ryan Seacrest says "Cingular" in one night and tell me that's not intentional advertising :) If they opened it up to all cell providers, they might lose big money from Cingular.

Just a thought.