BIG BROTHER 6 GOES WIRELESS
Viewers Can Substantially Impact the Course of the Show via Text Messaging
And Voting Through CBS.com
Downloadable Activities Available Beginning August 4,
Including Ring Tones and Special Wallpapers Featuring Big Brother Contestants
Los Angeles, CA � BIG BROTHER 6 will enter the world of wireless communications by incorporating text messaging and downloadable activities in conjunction with the reality series in the second largest wireless on-TV activity in the United States after Fox's "American Idol" wireless voting.
Beginning August 4, host Julie Chen introduces "America's Choice" to wireless subscribers, a key element of the episode that will enable viewers to vote via cell phone text messaging in order to influence the course of the game. In addition to text messaging, THE BIG BROTHER audience will also be given the opportunity to cast their vote on CBS.com.
Beyond cross-carrier text message voting, applications for download will also be available, such as wallpapers of their favorite Big Brother houseguest, especially photographed for the wireless world.
"This is the natural evolution for a show that already features so much viewer interactivity," said Larry Kramer, President, CBS Digital Media. "Text messaging will bring the 'Big Brother' experience to living rooms across America, allowing even greater participation from the viewing public. It's an organic extension of the 'Big Brother' phenomenon, and it will be incorporated seamlessly into the show."
"Big Brother is a show that has connected with a huge segment of the population that is not only open to this kind of participation, but expects it," said Nancy Tellem, President, CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group. "The interactive features that we are adding give the viewers an opportunity to become more invested in the program, in addition to expanding the entertainment value of the show. We're committed to finding new ways to bring our viewers into our programming beyond just watching, and we think this is a tremendous start."
Votes via text messaging will be tabulated during a specified time window following the episode broadcast.
At certain times, a BIG BROTHER ring tone will be offered to the public to download for $1.99 on certain carriers directly from the TV screen. Voters will also be invited to join a "CBS Mobile Team" to receive additional mobile/wireless opportunities in the future if they opt in through text messaging.
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