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Rules

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Voting Frequently Asked Questions

How do I vote?
Voting is simple and easy. To vote, simply watch Nashville Star Star on NBC on Monday nights (see local listings for times in your area) and at the end of the show each week you can vote for your favorite contestant(s) via any of the 3 voting methods: toll-free, AT&T Mobility Text Messaging and online. Each of the contestants will be assigned his or her own toll-free number (e.g. 1-866-9-STAR-01 / 1-866-978-2701 for contestant 1, 1-866-9-STAR-02 / 1-866-978-2702 for contestant 2 etc) during the show. Each contestant will also be assigned an AT&T four digit text messaging short code. To vote via AT&T text messaging, AT&T subscribers simply text the word STAR to the short code associated with your contestant of choice (e.g. STAR to 2701 for contestant 1, STAR to 2702 for contestant 2 etc). Standard text message rates apply. Or, you can log on to www.NBC.com and follow the links to vote online. Online voting is limited to 10 votes per e-mail address.

Nashville Star Productions, Inc. (Producer”) reserves the right to disqualify, block or remove any votes from an individual who votes using any electronic, mechanical or automated means, or otherwise tampers with the voting process (see the "Is there ever a time when votes I cast may not count?” or “What's power dialing and what is being done to protect against it?” sections of these FAQs). Rules and procedures are subject to change at Producer’s discretion without notice.

Who can vote?
Anyone calling or voting online from within Continental US, Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico can cast their vote(s) for the Nashville Star contestants. To vote online, you must be 13 years of age or older.

When can I vote?
The toll-free and AT&T text messaging voting start and end times for the shows airing on Monday 6/9, Monday 6/23, and Monday 6/30 are as follows:

The toll-free and AT&T Mobility Text Messaging voting start and end times for the Second Episode on 6/16 are as follows:

The toll-free and AT&T Mobility Text Messaging voting start and end times for the shows airing Monday 7/7, Monday 7/14, Monday 7/21, and Monday 7/28 are as follows:

All times are local to the location listed. Outside of these times the toll-free lines will play a busy signal or other message played by the local carrier and your call will not count as a vote. Outside of the AT&T Mobility Text Messaging vote windows, you will receive a one time standard rate message stating your vote is invalid and will not be counted. A vote window is determined by the time zone (as defined above) applicable to your cellular phone area code.

Online voting for Episode 1,3, and 4 will be open 10.55pm ET Monday until 6am ET Tuesday June 9th.

Online voting for Episode 2 will be open 10.25pm ET Monday until 5:30am ET Tuesday June 16th.

Online voting for Episodes 5-8 will be open 9.55pm ET Monday until 5am ET the Tuesday after the show.

How many times can I vote?
You may vote as many times as you like using toll-free phone numbers and AT&T text messaging voting. Online voting is limited to 10 votes per e-mail address. However, Producer reserves the right to disqualify, block or remove any votes from any individual who votes by any electronic, mechanical or automated means, or otherwise tampers with the voting process. (see the the “Is there ever a time when votes I cast may not count?” or “What's power dialing and what is being done to protect against it?” sections of these FAQs). Rules and procedures are subject to change at Producer’s sole discretion without notice.

How much does it cost to vote?
Telephone calls to the Nashville Star voting lines are toll-free from landlines. If you use a wireless phone to call, airtime and applicable roaming and long distance charges will apply. Contact your cell phone service provider if you want to know how much you will be charged.

AT&T text messaging voting is charged at standard text message rates. The cost of voting for AT&T subscribers varies depending on your service agreement. If you do not have an AT&T text messaging plan standard text messaging rates apply to messages sent and received.. You will be charged for each message sent from and received by your wireless device, regardless of delivery and including, without limitation, invalid votes cast outside of the specified time period. Some messages sent to you will be free; these messages will be identified by the phrase ‘AT&T free msg.’ See www.ATT.com for details, or visit an AT&T store. Please note that “premium” rates do not apply to Nashville Star text votes.

Voting online is free except for your normal internet access charges.

I couldn’t get through to the lines or all I get is a fast busy signal or other message when I call – why?
Although the telephone network is designed to handle huge volumes of calls simultaneously, there may be times (particularly just after the show ends) when it will not be able to handle every single call due to the sheer volume. If you are calling during your voting window but can’t get through to cast your vote, be patient and try again.

If you are sure you are calling within your voting window but still can’t get through, it may be that your local phone company has been flooded with calls. Try waiting a few minutes before calling again as you have at least 2 hours after the show to vote. If you still have problems, contact your local phone company.

If you are calling from a cell phone with an area code that is in a different time zone from that in which you are calling, the system will accept or reject your vote based on the time zone of your cell phone’s area code. So, for example, if you have a New York cell phone area code but are calling from Los Angeles, you will be voting outside the East Coast voting window and your vote will not be accepted. Try calling again from a landline phone during the West Coast vote window.

Can I vote using my cell phone?
Yes, you can vote using a cell phone, although airtime and applicable roaming charges will apply to toll-free numbers called from wireless phones. Contact your cell phone service provider if you want to know how much you will be charged. If you are an AT&T customer, you can also text message your vote from your wireless phone. Standard text message rates apply.

If you are calling or text messaging from a cell phone and you are physically located in a different time zone from your cell phone’s area code, the systems will accept or reject your vote based on the time zone of your cell phone area code. For example, if you have a New York cell phone area code but are calling from Los Angeles immediately following the Los Angeles broadcast, you will be voting outside the East Coast voting window and your vote will not be accepted. Try calling again from a landline during the West Coast vote window. Or, try voting online.

Can I vote if I subscribe to a digital phone service or VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) service?
Yes, you can vote if you subscribe to some digital or internet-based phone systems, such as Vonage or Skype. However, note that digital phone and VOIP services often re-route outgoing calls to a different geographical location from which the call is being made. As a result, you may only be able to vote in the voting window applicable to the geographical location to which your call has been re-routed. If you are trying to vote in the regular voting window for your region and your call is re-routed outside of your region by your service provider, you will not be able to vote (instead, you will hear a fast busy signal). However, you still have the ability to vote during the other voting window, or you can vote via AT&T text messaging or online. For further information, contact your digital phone or VOIP service provider.

What will I hear if I call the toll-free numbers?
Voting opens just before the end of the show – if you call before then you will hear a busy signal or another message from your local phone carrier and your vote will not count. Voting via toll-free phone numbers remains open for up to 2 hours after the show, subject to local time zone and broadcast feed limitations (see the "When can I vote?" section of these FAQs). During each voting window, the phone message will confirm your vote. After the voting window closes, no more votes will be accepted and lines will play a busy signal or other local carrier message.

Voting by AT&T text messaging on your cell phone - What is Text Messaging/SMS?
Text Messaging – sometimes known as SMS (short messaging service) - is a way of communicating short text messages via your cell phone. Most (but not all) handsets have this feature. For Nashville Star, only AT&T customers have the ability to vote by text message using their cell phone keypad to write the message ‘STAR’ and sending it to a 4-digit contestant number. This 4-digit contestant number, such as 2701 for Contestant 1, relates directly to your contestant of choice and will be displayed on the show. Only send the word 'STAR' to the 4 digit short code numbers you see on screen, you cannot send a text message to the toll-free numbers.

How do I vote using AT&T text messaging?
As with the toll-free voting, each contestant will also be assigned his or her own text message number during the show – this 4 digit short code number will appear on your TV screen alongside the toll-free phone numbers. To vote by text if you are an AT&T subscriber, simply watch Nashville Star on NBC each week, input the word ‘STAR’ into a new text message on your cell phone and send this message to the 4-digit short code number assigned to your contestant of choice (such as 2701 for Contestant 1). Only send the word 'STAR' to the 4 digit short code numbers you see on screen, you cannot send a text message to the toll-free numbers. If done correctly, you will receive a message confirming your first valid vote per contestant during the voting window. You will only receive one thanks for voting message per contestant you vote for.

AT&T text message voting will open at the end of each show and stay open for 2 hours, subject to local time zone limitations. Voting will NOT be open outside the 2 hour time period determined by the area code on your cell phone. Votes sent outside of the voting window will be invalid, and you will receive a message saying the window is closed. If you are sending your text vote from a cell phone with an area code that is in a different time zone from the one in which you are calling, the network will accept or reject your vote based on the time zone of your area code. So, if you have a New York cell phone area code but are voting from Los Angeles during the West Coast voting window, your vote will not be accepted. Try calling the toll-free number from a landline during the West Coast voting window instead.

Voters can text vote as many times as you would like per phone number during your local valid vote window, which is determined by the time zone (as defined above) in applicable to your cellular phone area code. You will receive a confirmation of vote text message for your valid votes. Note, Producer reserves the right to disqualify, block or remove any votes from any individual who votes by any electronic, mechanical or automated means, or otherwise tampers with the vote process. (see the “Is there ever a time when votes I cast may not count?” or “What's power dialing and what is being done to protect against it?” sections of these FAQs).

Is the text Messaging vote system the same as the toll-free system?
The design of the text voting is exactly the same as the toll-free voting system in terms of open/close times and regions. The contestant numbers will also be very similar. If you wish to vote for Contestant 2, for example, you can either call 1 866 9-STAR-02 / 1-866-978-2702) or AT&T subscribers can text the word STAR to 2702 from their wireless phone. Please make sure you watch the show to find out the right numbers each week. Remember to send the word 'STAR' to the 4 digit short code numbers you see on screen, you cannot send a text message to the toll-free numbers.

Who can vote using text messaging?
Text message voting is only available to AT&T subscribers with two-way text messaging capable handsets. If you are an AT&T customer and wish to check if your handset has two-way text messaging capability, go to www.ATT.com or visit an AT&T store. AT&T subscribers with area codes from within the Continental US, Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico can cast their text vote for the Nashville Star contestants. If you are not an AT&T subscriber, you can vote using the standard toll-free phone numbers instead.

When I tried to vote, my handset said 'message not sent' - why?
Like the toll-free voting, the AT&T text messaging network is designed to handle huge volumes of votes simultaneously. There may be times (particularly just after the show) when it will not be able to handle every message due to network congestion. When this happens, ‘message not sent’ may appear on your handset. Please be patient and try again later. And, don’t forget to vote within your time zone’s voting window! If you are not an AT&T subscriber, you will not be able to text message your vote for Nashville Star. Call the toll-free numbers or go online instead.

Can I vote using a payphone?
Votes from payphones will be blocked. To vote for your favorite contestant, use a standard landline or cell phone, or vote online. Charges may apply when using your cell phone.

How do I vote on the internet?
Internet voting will be open during the times stated above (see the “When can I vote?” section of these FAQs). To vote, log on to www.nbc.com and follow the instructions, including, without limitation, completing the form provided. Then, select for whom you wish to vote from the list of contestants. You must be 13 years or older to vote online. If done correctly, you will get a message on your screen thanking you for voting. You may vote up to 10 times online per e-mail address. Any attempts over 10 will not count. Outside of the vote window, the online vote page will not appear and you will not be able to cast your vote.

How do I find out the results?
The results will be revealed during the following week’s show, airing Mondays on NBC. Check your local listings for show times.

What's power dialing and what is being done to protect against it?
Monitoring procedures will be in place to prevent individuals from unfairly influencing the outcome of the voting by generating significant blocks of votes using technical enhancements. Producer, in its sole discretion, reserves the right to remove any identified 'power dialing' votes. Note that this applies to toll-free, AT&T text messaging and online voting.

Is there ever a time when votes I cast may not count?
Reveille, LLC, Nashville Star Productions, Inc, 495 Productions, Inc., NBC Universal, Inc., and/or Telescope, Inc. and their respective parent, subsidiary and affiliated entities and persons, (collectively, the “Administrators”) reserve the right to disqualify, block or remove any votes from an individual who votes using any electronic, mechanical or automated means, or otherwise tampers with the vote process, or for any other reason, as determined by Administrators in their sole discretion. Administrators reserve the right, for any reason and in their sole discretion, to modify, suspend or discontinue the voting service without prior notice. Administrators reserve the right to modify the show’s contest rules, and the terms and conditions of this voting process at any time their sole discretion.