Sky News Iraq text alert service draws 11,000 users

by Claire Billings,, Brand Republic 27-Mar-03, 15:00

LONDON - A new text alert service from BSkyB's Sky News keeping consumers up to date with the latest Iraq coverage has attracted 11,000 subscribers in the first week of the war to oust Saddam Hussein.

The alert service launched on March 19, the first day of the attacks, and is promoted via a scrolling message across the broadcasters' 24-hour channel Sky News.

Viewers text SKY IRAQ ON to 80088 to receive the alerts. They are provided by Broadsystem, which develops interactive telephone and text services to help boost audience participation and numbers.

According to figures released by the Rupert Murdoch-owned satellite and cable news station, Sky News has become the most-watched rolling news channel during the war so far.

On Sunday, its busiest day since war broke out, it drew a 9.5% share of the multichannel audience, or a reach of 6.3m. This was some way ahead of the 4.2% share or 5.2m reach that rival BBC News 24 attracted.

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