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Reality voting via Twitter

The US version of The X Factor is now allowing viewers to vote via Twitter. But will Aussie shows forgo those 55c SMS votes?

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Is this the next trend?

The US version of The X Factor is now allowing viewers to vote via Twitter.

Fans must first sign up for Twitter, then follow the show’s official account, @TheXFactorUSA.

Fans can then vote by direct messaging to the show’s account. DMs remain private and are not visible to the public.

Australian TV shows, including The X Factor, have been embracing Twitter because it helps drive live viewing. Use of social media is a great tool to battle downloads and timeshifted viewing as it creates a community experience. The X Factor pro-actively uses Twitter with its audience via on-screen questions (“Was Guy too harsh?” for example).

But voting for Reality shows also drives revenue at 55c a pop, which would be skipped via Twitter voting.

Which show will be the first to allow free Twitter votes in Australia over stinging the audience for money?

Source: Hollywood Reporter

12 Responses

  2. the X factor app in aus apparently allows you to vote within it, dunno if it just sets up a txt for you to send or if it’s online, anyone know?
    if anything I think more programs will be taking the app approach, proving a more immersive experience on the go

  3. I suspect that it wouldn’t have a big effect on SMS voting. People vote via SMS multiple times now. I think Twitter will just be a way for them to vote more often rather than a substitute.

  7. The problem with Twitter voting is that it is pretty trivial to create fake accounts and send many votes.

    Big Brother UK offers voting via Facebook. The difference is that it costs 7p per vote.

  10. won’t happen here…… voting in the US via phone or SMS is free…. All the shows are sponsored by a network (i.e AT&T, Verizon etc.) if you are connected via that network you get free voting (which is usually limited to a certain number of votes)… If you aren’t with the sponsor network you can’t vote unless you use the shows website.

    In Australia the shows rely on the revenue too much….. so no one will do it here….. unless it is just a novelty for publicity.

  12. Wouldn’t social media voting pay for itself in the end? You could vote for Australia’s next top model for free on Twitter and Facebook. Also Big Brother in the UK allows for Facebook voting (but you have to pay for ‘Facebook Credits’).

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