An Indian Solution: “Missed Call” Audience Voting on Television

On Indian television there are plenty of reality shows. Most are Indian versions of popular American and British shows. Television programs such as India’s Got Talent and Indian Idol often depend on audience voting like their American and British counterparts. In India, even though most people own a cellphone, those of lesser means use cellphones only to receive calls and not make calls as calling cost money. Since audience participation through voting is an important part of these programs, Indian television channels have adopted a unique way to engage the audience by making voting easy and convenient through “missed calls.” The introduction of "missed call" voting is said to have significantly increased viewer response to the reality shows.