Toronto, ON (September 12, 2005) – Already, 34 million votes have been logged. Now, Canadian Idol fans are limbering up their fingers for what promises to be the largest telephone voting event in Canadian history – tomorrow night’s final choice for the next Canadian Idol. With everything on the line for the final two competitors, CTV reminded viewers today of voting tips to assist in the mass vote.
Last year, 32 million votes were cast in the process of choosing the second Canadian Idol. This season, voting has increased by 21 per cent with the biggest vote yet to come as viewers choose between Newfoundland’s Rex Goudie, 19, and Calgary’s Melissa O’Neil, 18.
Tomorrow’s night’s final performance episode has been expanded to 90 minutes, resulting in voting time changes. Voting will begin immediately following the conclusion of the show (east of the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border from 9:30-11:30 p.m. ET and west of the Manitoba/Saskatchewan border from 9:30-11:30 p.m. PT). The results will be announced at the conclusion of a live, two-hour grand finale, airing Wednesday, Sept. 14 on CTV at 8 p.m. ET (tape delayed in British Columbia, Alberta [live in Calgary] and Saskatchewan).
The following tips ensure the most effective of method of voting for the next Canadian Idol:
Voting Tips
1. Call during non-peak periods. Voting lines are open for two hours following each Canadian Idol broadcast. The highest call volumes for toll-free telephone voting generally occur within the first 30 minutes after the show ends. People calling to vote during the first few minutes are most likely to get a busy signal or no dial tone altogether. Waiting for non-peak times before calling increases your chances of successfully voting for your favourite Canadian Idol competitor via the toll-free numbers.
2. Wait for a dial tone before dialing. Calls can only be processed if a dial tone is heard. Do not begin your call until after you hear a dial tone. If you do not hear a dial tone, do not hang up and try again immediately. Rather, wait to maintain your priority in the dial tone queue. Waiting to hear a dial tone keeps your line ready for the next dial tone that becomes available.
3. Do not use automatic re-dialers. Most automatic re-dialers are not sophisticated enough to wait for a dial tone. Calls can only be processed if a dial tone is heard. During periods of high call volume, dial tone may be delayed and therefore automatic re-dials may not go through.
4. Use a cell phone to call. Try calling from a cell phone if you cannot get through using a land line.
A detailed FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) document on Canadian Idol voting can be found on the Canadian Idol Web site at www.idol.ctv.ca.
Credit: CTV
