eagles_victory
05-27-2009, 10:44 AM
The New York Times is reporting that American Idol's Kris Allen may have had a little help from AT&T, one of the Fox show's biggest corporate sponsors, in winning this year.
According to the Times, AT&T provided phones for free text-messaging services at two Allen parties in Arkansas on the night of the finals. Citing sources, The Times reports that AT&T reps showed party-goers how to "power text" -- cast 10 votes at the touch of a button -- which violates show rules.
Check out 20 unforgettable moments from the Idol finale
Power texts, according to the Times, "have an exponentially greater effect on voting than do single text messages or calls to the shows toll-free phone lines."
No similar efforts appear to have been made to provide free texting services to Adam Lambert fans.
Angry Lambert supporters are now claiming in online chat boards that the competition's voting was rigged.
While Fox has yet to comment, AT&T issued the following statement: "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."
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette first reported on the possible skewed voting last week.
According to the Times, AT&T provided phones for free text-messaging services at two Allen parties in Arkansas on the night of the finals. Citing sources, The Times reports that AT&T reps showed party-goers how to "power text" -- cast 10 votes at the touch of a button -- which violates show rules.
Check out 20 unforgettable moments from the Idol finale
Power texts, according to the Times, "have an exponentially greater effect on voting than do single text messages or calls to the shows toll-free phone lines."
No similar efforts appear to have been made to provide free texting services to Adam Lambert fans.
Angry Lambert supporters are now claiming in online chat boards that the competition's voting was rigged.
While Fox has yet to comment, AT&T issued the following statement: "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."
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette first reported on the possible skewed voting last week.