MSN “Rock Star: INXS” Web Site Reports Visitors Increase

HostReview.com
Tuesday, August 23, 2005; 11:33 AM

Fans of Mark Burnett Productions’ “Rock Star: INXS” have made the new reality television show’s official Web site on MSN a go-to destination, with significant growth in visitors’ activities throughout the interactive site at http://rockstar.msn.com. To date, MSN® Video has streamed 7.1 million clips of the rockers competing for the chance to become the new lead singer of INXS.

Every remaining contestant on Rock Star: INXS has appeared in the top 100 most downloaded tracks on MSN Music, and the contestant performances, along with unaired and behind the scenes footage from the show, are some of the top streamed videos on MSN Video.

The number of people voting for their favorite contestants through rockstar.msn.com is growing rapidly. Voting on MSN continued its consistent week-over-week growth as the show completed its sixth week.

In addition, fans are flocking to MSN Spaces, where each rocker has a personal Web log (blog), to get the latest updates from the contestants themselves. Visits to the contestants’ Spaces have more than doubled since the show’s premiere, which may be because the rockers aren’t keeping very many secrets when it comes to talking about their lives inside the mansion.

“This surge of activity on rockstar.msn.com attests to the outstanding talent of these performers as well as how much enjoyment fans have gained from interacting with contestants and each other through the Web site,” said Mike Conte, general manager of MSN Marketplaces and Digital Media.

“It was just a few years ago that the only feedback producers would get would be from critics and ratings,” said Mark Burnett. “Now, thanks to the Internet and specifically our relationship with MSN, very detailed feedback comes across through voting, message boards and blogs, and from the large number of video clips watched and songs downloaded.”

The Web site also gives fans unique opportunities to chat, play games and view show-themed content in real time through MSN Messenger, watch exclusive “Rock Star: INXS” content on MSN Video, purchase contestant performances on MSN Music, buy INXS merchandise through MSN Shopping, learn about the contestants’ personal lives through their MSN Spaces, and more.