Majority of Viewers Want Recount of American Idol Voting for Season 8 Winner

Majority of Viewers Want Recount of American Idol Voting for Season 8 Winner

-- 50% have less favorable view of AT&T after learning of controversial texting parties --

FLEMINGTON, N.J., May 29 /PRNewswire/ -- A new national media study among 300 viewers of a news clip featuring the recent controversy surrounding the American Idol voting process revealed that the majority of respondents (59%) indicated that there should be a recount of the voting for the American Idol finale show.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071204/NYTU133LOGO )

The study was conducted by the MediaCurves.com(R) website on May 28, to obtain Americans' perceptions of the controversy involving Fox's American Idol show and Fox's sponsor AT&T, who hosted "texting parties" in Arkansas which were thought to give contestant, Kris Allen, an edge in the competition. To view agreement curves and detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.

The study also revealed that half of participants (50%) have a less favorable view of the AT&T brand after this incident was made public. In addition, a large majority (87%) reported that "power texting" (texting a vote multiple times for the same contestant) can influence the voting system for American Idol and similar competitions.

"The dial testing results for the CNN report study suggests that viewers were dubious of statements from AT&T as well as Fox supporting the American Idol results," commented Glenn Kessler, President and CEO, HCD Research. "Viewers' agreement levels increased when the American Idol methodology was questioned by the reporters, and plummeted when the corporate statements were quoted. It is clear that viewers agreed with the statements questioning the validity of the results and disagreed with rebuttals from AT&T and Fox," concluded Kessler.

Among the findings:

"Do you believe that voting can be influenced by 'power texting' (texting one's vote multiple times for the same contestant)?"

Total
Yes 87%
No 13%

"How does this issue impact your perception of AT&T?"

Total
More favorable 4%
Less favorable 50%
No change 46%

"Do you think American Idol should re-do the voting process to determine the winner of season 8 with no 'power texting' allowed?"

Total
Yes 59%
No 41%

"Out of the two final contestants, who did you want to win the season 8 finale of American Idol?

Total
Kris Allen 20%
Adam Lambert 34%
No preference 46%

While viewing the video clip, participants indicated their levels of agreeability by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The participants were also asked to respond to post-viewing questions.

About MediaCurves.com

MediaCurves.com(R) (www.mediacurves.com) is a media measurement website that provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans' perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements. MediaCurves.com is a service of HCD Research, a communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. The company's services include traditional and web-based communications research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company's web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393.

Editors/Reporters: For more information on the study, or to speak with
Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research, please contact Barbara Taylor,
Director, MediaCurves.com division, HCD Research, at 483-9146 or
(barbara.taylor@hcdi.net). You can also receive updates from MediaCurves.com
by following us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/mediacurves.
First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071204/NYTU133LOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: HCD Research

CONTACT: Barbara Taylor, Director, MediaCurves.com division, HCD
Research, +1-908-483-9146, barbara.taylor@hcdi.net

Web Site: http://www.hcdi.net/

-------
Profile: intent