There’s no way of verifying these numbers, but Rediff (NSDQ: REDF) reports that in the final nine days of the show Indian Idol, the finalists received 70 Million SMS’, amounting to Rs. 210 Million ($5.25 million). The numbers are, however, being questioned. The report got one thing wrong – they said it amounts to 900 SMS’ per second, though as per my calculations, it’s 90 per second. That aside, the show has meant huge revenues via premium SMS’, though one still doesn’t know the split between the channel and the telcos.
Update: Courtesy Mobstir in the comments, here‘s what BSNL charges for voting services.
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