NME Extends Text Message Offering

IPC’s NME brand has extended its SMS text messaging service with the launch of NME Band Alerts.

The new premium rate service, which is intended to provide music fans with the latest rock and pop news, launches tomorrow. NME readers will be able to sign up to receive SMS alerts on up to 100 bands by texting a special code printed in NME magazine. Subscribers will be charged 25p via reverse billing for each text message they receive.

Editor of NME.com, Anthony Thornton, said: “This is another great way for our readers to stay one step ahead of the latest news and gossip on their favourite bands. Mobile service provider Broadsystem has provided us with the technology to make this interaction happen and to ensure that NME revolutionises the provision of music content.”

Last month NME launched two SMS text messaging services allowing readers to pay to receive breaking news or the latest information on tickets and touring (see NME Launches Text Message Alert Services).

The latest figures from the Mobile Data Association show that 1.3 billion text messages were sent in the UK during April, an increase of one million on March. The MDA predicts that the popularity of text messaging will continue to increase and is estimating that 16 billion person to person text messages will be sent during 2002 (see Text Trend Shows No Signs Of Slowing During April).

IPC Media: 0870 4445000 www.ipc.co.uk

Recent SMS Stories from NewsLine Attic Futura Teen Titles Launch Text Services Text Messaging Blooms During Easter Season Sneak To Offer SMS Interactivity

Subscribers can access ten years of NewsLine articles by clicking the Search button to the left