For decades, television sets have been treated as all-knowing fixtures in the American living room. PTV is such a phenomenon because it gives viewers the opportunity to finally communicate with this cultural icon. Affecting the outcome of a TV show by voting through a cellphone makes the experience exhilarating.

PTV was not only the first time that the average American interacted with their television, but it was also the first time many had sent a text message at all. In his 2006 book "Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Colide," Henry Jenkins describes how PTV has served to elevate the text message to a common occurrence. The wireless carrier for "American Idol" reported that roughly one-third of those who participated in the show through text messaging had never sent a text message before. Because of this show, the Fox Network has done more to educate the public and get people using this technology than any marketing activity.