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AT&T Denies Influences 'American Idol' Outcome

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May 27, 2009 12:27 pm US/Pacific

AT&T Denies Influences 'American Idol' Outcome

NEW YORK (CBS) ―

Click to enlarge 1 of 1: Finalist contestants Adam Lambert and Kris Allen arrive at the American Idol Season 8 Grand Finale held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on May 20, 2009, in Los Angeles, Calif.
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"American Idol" sponsor AT&T says a few overeager company employees helped Arkansas fans vote by text at viewing parties -- but didn't influence the final results.

Kris Allen of Conway, Ark., ended up winning the "Idol" title last week over Adam Lambert, who'd been cast as the frontrunner by the show's judges.

AT&T said that in the future the company will ensure employees understand that its sponsorship "celebrates the competition, not individual contestants."

In a separate statement, Fox and the show's producers said they are certain the results are "fair, accurate and verified" and that the integrity of the voting process was protected against unfair influence.

It was considered a huge upset when Kris Allen beat Adam Lambert to win the season eight crown of "American Idol."

Representatives of the phone company are said to have distributed free text messaging services at two Allen parties in Arkansas on the night of the finals. The reps reportedly showed party-goers how to "power text" -- cast 10 votes at the touch of a button -- a tactic that violates "Idol" rules.

A report published in The New York Times says power texts "have an exponentially greater effect on voting than do single text messages or calls to the show's toll-free phone lines."

The newspaper cites as sources people at the parties, and the company itself.