AT&T trumpets "American Idol" mobile video clips

AT&T/Cingular announced the renewal of its longstanding mobile sponsorship agreement with the Fox network's incomprehensibly popular amateur showcase "American Idol" by adding mobile video clips from the series to its Cingular Video library. For the next three weeks, the carrier will feature up to 10 audition clips from rejected "American Idol" hopefuls in addition to Bad Audition ringtones and ringbacks.

"'American Idol' is the most popular and entertaining television program in the country, and we are excited to be back for another season of fun," AT&T VP of wireless marketing John Burbank said in a prepared statement. "We are pleased to make highlights from this season's audition shows available to fans on their wireless phones, so they can relive their favorite moments as often as they like, whenever they like."

Last season, "American Idol" generated a record 64.5 million text messages via viewer voting initiatives.

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