AT&T announced today that it has beat it text messaging record of 64.5 million by generating more than 78 million messages dedicated to this year’s season of American Idol. By texting their votes this season, AT&T’s wireless customers helped crown the new American Idol winner, David Cook.

AT&T introduced text message voting in season 2 of Fox’s hit television show. AT&T’s sponsorship helped put text messaging into the American culture. Back in 2003, when the text messaging voting component was first introduced to American Idol, text messaging was a relatively new technology used almost exclusively by the youth market. Today, test messaging has spread to older people and is almost as popular as voice communication.

“There’s no question that Idol fans are texting in huge numbers,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T’s wireless operations. “We rolled out a lot of great Idol-themed content this season that kept fans engaged and connected. From ‘American Idol’ trivia, special sweepstakes, TXT chats, vote number reminders and, of course, voting, there were plenty
of opportunities for AT&T customers to enhance their favorite Idol moments.”