Cingular Expands American Idol Ringtones

Cellular provider announces it will make available, often within 24 hours, select songs performed by Idol finalists as downloadable ringtones.

Cingular Wireless today announced it is now exclusively offering its customers the ability to download the live performance of American Idol finalists as ringtones for their phones. These ringtones will cost $2.49 each.

The Live Idol Ringtones, said Cingular, will be available as selected songs performed live on Tuesday night’s performance show the very next day. For any contestant whose song may not have received publisher clearance that week, Cingular will release a new ringtone of a song performed by that contestant in an earlier round of the show.

As the weeks progress, Cingular added, customers will also be able to browse and buy Live Idol Ringtones from past performances for this season. Additionally, customers can sign up for weekly text alerts that inform them when Live Idol Ringtones become available.

In previous seasons, customers have been able to purchase ringtones of the “American Idol” theme song and many of the songs featured on the show by the original artists.

“One of the reasons ‘American Idol’ is the number one show in television is because it showcases people making great music,” said John Burbank, vice president, marketing, Cingular Wireless, in a statement. “Live Idol Ringtones allow Cingular customers to show their support for their favorite contestants while taking that great music with them wherever they go.”