CBS is adding SMS-based interactivity and other mobile services to the latest season of the US version of the Endemol-originated international reality TV format, "Big Brother." Its partners for the new services are GoldPocket Interactive and mobile messaging management technology provider, m-Qube. On August 4th, Big Brother host, Julie Chen, announced that the show's "America's Choice" feature, in which viewers vote to influence the show's course, is now open to cross-carrier SMS voting at 49 cents per call. (Note: CBS says that SMS votes will be tabulated during a specified time window following the broadcast of each episode.) As in the past, viewers will also be able to cast their vote on CBS.com. In addition, CBS is making available for download a variety of Big Brother-themed mobile applications, including free wallpapers of each of the contestants. The broadcaster will also promote a Big Brother ringtone on the TV screen, that customers of certain carriers can download for $1.99. "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," Nancy Tellem, president of CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group, said in a prepared statement. "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."
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