Over 26 million text messages sent backing Live 8

[Steve]

Yesterday, amidst a hilarious amount of swearing on afternoon television, people around the world tuned in to watch Live8. Better still, millions pledged their support via text message. 26.4 million of you txt'd in.

"This is definitely going down as the biggest political call to action," said Ralph Simon, who was coordinating the text messaging campaign in Philadelphia, the venue of the largest of 10 concerts around the world to demand relief of African poverty.

He said the previous record for the most text messages sent on a single day for a single event was around 5.8 million for an episode of the television talent show "American Idol" where viewers vote for the winner.

The event was also the most streamed event on the Internet, with AOL racking up 5 million online viewers. Reuters has the full story. If this doesn't make a difference then something is very wrong with the G8 leaders.

[hollowroom]

something IS very wrong with the G8 leaders!

[phunkygal]

were the text messages normal charge or did money actually go to charity?

[streetster]

26.4 million texts @ 10p a text = £2.64 million, if all of that goes to charity then it aint bad

[Atomic]

I got one of them:

"Support Live 8's fight against poverty. Text GIVE & send to 83399. All profits go to Band Aid Charitable Trust. Txts cost 1.50p U CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE"

[Twigman]

10p - minus taxes and charges.
Although O2 arent making profit out of it im sure the government are and they still have to pay taxes etc.
Its probably closer to the £1million mark tbh.

[Moby-Dick]

I got one of them:

"Support Live 8's fight against poverty. Text GIVE & send to 83399. All profits go to Band Aid Charitable Trust. Txts cost 1.50p U CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE"

that sounds like a scam

[tommylittleboy@]

It's not really about the money made from the event...its the support they want.
Every1 add their name to the list here http://www.live8live.com/list/