Karaoke Challenge Voting - Frequently Asked Questions
How do I vote?
Each contestant will be assigned a toll-free telephone number during the performance episodes that feature voting. To vote, simply dial the telephone number of the contestant(s) for whom you wish to vote. Or, log on to Oprah.com/sing and follow the links to vote online. Voting will open at the end of the performance episodes, which air live 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. CT on Thursday, November 5 and 12. Do not call the toll-free numbers before the end of the show, as the lines will not be open. Voting will remain open until 11:59:59 p.m. CT on November 5 and 12. The results of each vote will be revealed during The Oprah Show the following day. Voting procedures are subject to change at producers' discretion without notice.
Who can vote?
If you are an audience member or a viewer of one of the designated shows and a legal resident of the 50 United States or District of Columbia who is at least 13 years of age, you can vote at the dates and times announced on the shows (each, a "Voting Period") in one of two (2) ways:
(1) Online: Visit the website during the date and time announced for the applicable show and follow the directions provided to vote for the performance you think is best for that show. Online voting is limited to one vote per IP/e-mail address.
(2) Via toll-free number: Call the toll-free number and follow the directions provided to vote for the performance you think is best for that show.
NOTE: You may only submit a vote for the corresponding show episode on the day of the applicable round; you may not vote for any individual after the day on which such show episode has aired. You may not vote for any individual in any round if the corresponding show episode is a rerun.
When can I vote?
Voting for Oprah's Karaoke Challenge will open at the end of the performance shows, which air on November 5 and 12 (10 a.m. CT) and will stay open until 11:59:59 p.m. CT the same day. Outside of these times, the toll-free lines will play a busy signal and your call will not count as a vote.
Voting availability: Thursday, November 5, 2009, 10 a.m. to 11:59:59 p.m. CT; Thursday, November 12, 2009, 10 a.m. to 11:59:59 p.m. CT.
How many times can I vote?
You may vote as often as you like within the valid, toll-free vote window. However, there are procedures in place to monitor for unusual voting patterns which may indicate automated or unfair systems being used to try to unfairly influence the outcome. See the "What's being done about power dialing?" section for more information. Online voting is limited to one vote per IP/e-mail address per voting period.
Each contestant will be assigned a toll-free telephone number during the performance episodes that feature voting. To vote, simply dial the telephone number of the contestant(s) for whom you wish to vote. Or, log on to Oprah.com/sing and follow the links to vote online. Voting will open at the end of the performance episodes, which air live 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. CT on Thursday, November 5 and 12. Do not call the toll-free numbers before the end of the show, as the lines will not be open. Voting will remain open until 11:59:59 p.m. CT on November 5 and 12. The results of each vote will be revealed during The Oprah Show the following day. Voting procedures are subject to change at producers' discretion without notice.
Who can vote?
If you are an audience member or a viewer of one of the designated shows and a legal resident of the 50 United States or District of Columbia who is at least 13 years of age, you can vote at the dates and times announced on the shows (each, a "Voting Period") in one of two (2) ways:
(1) Online: Visit the website during the date and time announced for the applicable show and follow the directions provided to vote for the performance you think is best for that show. Online voting is limited to one vote per IP/e-mail address.
(2) Via toll-free number: Call the toll-free number and follow the directions provided to vote for the performance you think is best for that show.
NOTE: You may only submit a vote for the corresponding show episode on the day of the applicable round; you may not vote for any individual after the day on which such show episode has aired. You may not vote for any individual in any round if the corresponding show episode is a rerun.
When can I vote?
Voting for Oprah's Karaoke Challenge will open at the end of the performance shows, which air on November 5 and 12 (10 a.m. CT) and will stay open until 11:59:59 p.m. CT the same day. Outside of these times, the toll-free lines will play a busy signal and your call will not count as a vote.
Voting availability: Thursday, November 5, 2009, 10 a.m. to 11:59:59 p.m. CT; Thursday, November 12, 2009, 10 a.m. to 11:59:59 p.m. CT.
How many times can I vote?
You may vote as often as you like within the valid, toll-free vote window. However, there are procedures in place to monitor for unusual voting patterns which may indicate automated or unfair systems being used to try to unfairly influence the outcome. See the "What's being done about power dialing?" section for more information. Online voting is limited to one vote per IP/e-mail address per voting period.
Is it true that some people can cast votes outside of the vote window after the show?
No, this is not true. As part of the process to ensure that the The Oprah Show voting system is accurate and ready for the public to call and vote, a test window is built into the toll-free system for the day before each vote show. During this test window, anyone calling the toll-free numbers from a phone with a West Coast area code will hear the "Thanks for voting" message. This vote window is for testing purposes only, and any calls received during this time do not count as valid votes. Your votes will only count if you call during the valid vote window after the performance show. Outside of these hours, votes will not count, even if you hear the "Thanks for voting" message.
How much does it cost to vote?
Telephone calls to the voting lines are toll-free from landlines, so you will not be charged to vote. If you use a cell phone to call, airtime and applicable roaming and long-distance charges will apply.
Can I vote by using my cell phone?
Yes, you can vote using your cell phone, although airtime and applicable roaming and long-distance charges will apply to toll-free numbers from cell phones. Contact your cell phone service provider if you want to know how much you will be charged.
Text message voting is not available for Oprah's Karaoke Challenge.
I couldn't get through to the lines or all I get is a busy signal 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) when it will not be able to handle every single call due to the sheer volume. If you are calling during the valid voting window but can't get through to cast your vote, be patient and try again.
If you hear the fast busy signal, it may be that you are calling outside of the voting window. When the window closes, lines will switch from a "Thank you for voting" message to a fast busy signal.
If you are sure you are calling within the 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. If you still have problems, contact your local phone company.
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.
When I called one of the toll-free lines, I heard the wrong contestant number—why?
All lines for The Oprah Show are tested before going on-air to make sure the lines work properly and are playing out the correct audio. If you call and hear the wrong contestant's number it's possible you accidentally misdialed, so check the number and dial again.
No, this is not true. As part of the process to ensure that the The Oprah Show voting system is accurate and ready for the public to call and vote, a test window is built into the toll-free system for the day before each vote show. During this test window, anyone calling the toll-free numbers from a phone with a West Coast area code will hear the "Thanks for voting" message. This vote window is for testing purposes only, and any calls received during this time do not count as valid votes. Your votes will only count if you call during the valid vote window after the performance show. Outside of these hours, votes will not count, even if you hear the "Thanks for voting" message.
How much does it cost to vote?
Telephone calls to the voting lines are toll-free from landlines, so you will not be charged to vote. If you use a cell phone to call, airtime and applicable roaming and long-distance charges will apply.
Can I vote by using my cell phone?
Yes, you can vote using your cell phone, although airtime and applicable roaming and long-distance charges will apply to toll-free numbers from cell phones. Contact your cell phone service provider if you want to know how much you will be charged.
Text message voting is not available for Oprah's Karaoke Challenge.
I couldn't get through to the lines or all I get is a busy signal 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) when it will not be able to handle every single call due to the sheer volume. If you are calling during the valid voting window but can't get through to cast your vote, be patient and try again.
If you hear the fast busy signal, it may be that you are calling outside of the voting window. When the window closes, lines will switch from a "Thank you for voting" message to a fast busy signal.
If you are sure you are calling within the 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. If you still have problems, contact your local phone company.
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.
When I called one of the toll-free lines, I heard the wrong contestant number—why?
All lines for The Oprah Show are tested before going on-air to make sure the lines work properly and are playing out the correct audio. If you call and hear the wrong contestant's number it's possible you accidentally misdialed, so check the number and dial again.
What will I hear if I call the toll-free numbers?
Voting begins at the end of each of the performance shows (November 5 and 12) when ALL of the contestants have performed—if you call before 10 a.m. CT on the day of the vote, you will hear a busy signal and your vote will NOT count.
At the end of the performance shows that feature voting, phone lines will be opened and voting can begin. During the valid vote windows, you will hear a prerecorded message thanking you for voting for your chosen contestant(s). Each contestant will have his or her own number read/shown on air, and the phone message will confirm for whom you have voted. After the voting window closes, no more votes will be accepted and lines will play out a busy signal.
When I called, I was told to call a "900" number—isn't The Oprah Show voting toll-free?
If you call to vote for your favorite contestant(s) and hear a message to call a "900" number, or if you hear anything other than "Thanks for voting," you have misdialed. Please try the toll-free numbers again, dialing carefully.
How do I know my vote has been counted?
Via toll-free number: Your vote will count if you vote during your valid voting window and hear the "Thanks for voting" message. If you do not hear a prerecorded message thanking you for voting, your vote did not count.
Online: After you vote, you will see the message: "Thank you for your vote. Be sure to tune in to The Oprah Winfrey Show tomorrow for the results."
How do I find out the results?
Results will be revealed during the next day's show. So remember to tune in to The Oprah Show to see how your vote affected the results!
What's being done about power dialing?
The toll-free voting process is administered and monitored by an independent vote management company. The producers, in consultation with this independent vote management company, reserve the right to remove so-called "power dialing" votes that are identified as having been cast in such a significant block, either by technical enhancements or otherwise, that it could unfairly influence the outcome of the voting.
Why can't I vote by the toll-free numbers using a payphone?
Votes from payphones will be blocked. To vote for your favorite contestant(s), use a standard landline telephone or cell phone. If you use a cell phone to call, airtime and applicable roaming and long-distance charges will apply.
Voting begins at the end of each of the performance shows (November 5 and 12) when ALL of the contestants have performed—if you call before 10 a.m. CT on the day of the vote, you will hear a busy signal and your vote will NOT count.
At the end of the performance shows that feature voting, phone lines will be opened and voting can begin. During the valid vote windows, you will hear a prerecorded message thanking you for voting for your chosen contestant(s). Each contestant will have his or her own number read/shown on air, and the phone message will confirm for whom you have voted. After the voting window closes, no more votes will be accepted and lines will play out a busy signal.
When I called, I was told to call a "900" number—isn't The Oprah Show voting toll-free?
If you call to vote for your favorite contestant(s) and hear a message to call a "900" number, or if you hear anything other than "Thanks for voting," you have misdialed. Please try the toll-free numbers again, dialing carefully.
How do I know my vote has been counted?
Via toll-free number: Your vote will count if you vote during your valid voting window and hear the "Thanks for voting" message. If you do not hear a prerecorded message thanking you for voting, your vote did not count.
Online: After you vote, you will see the message: "Thank you for your vote. Be sure to tune in to The Oprah Winfrey Show tomorrow for the results."
How do I find out the results?
Results will be revealed during the next day's show. So remember to tune in to The Oprah Show to see how your vote affected the results!
What's being done about power dialing?
The toll-free voting process is administered and monitored by an independent vote management company. The producers, in consultation with this independent vote management company, reserve the right to remove so-called "power dialing" votes that are identified as having been cast in such a significant block, either by technical enhancements or otherwise, that it could unfairly influence the outcome of the voting.
Why can't I vote by the toll-free numbers using a payphone?
Votes from payphones will be blocked. To vote for your favorite contestant(s), use a standard landline telephone or cell phone. If you use a cell phone to call, airtime and applicable roaming and long-distance charges will apply.
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