"Dancing Downloads for Charity"

"Dancing Downloads for Charity"

04.03.08 Fans of TVNZ's hit programme Dancing with the Stars will tonight have a new opportunity to support the show and their favourite dancers.

Mobile phone downloads featuring each of the dancers will be available for purchase, with the profits going to the charity associated with the chosen dancer.

The mobile 'wallpaper' will cost $2 for each image.

TVNZ has to pay its suppliers and telcos out of this amount in order to provide the service, but, as is the case with the voting system, it will not make a cent itself from the initiative.

TVNZ says the mobile wallpaper idea is a fun way to promote the show and to make an extra contribution to the charities involved.

The phone number to dial to purchase an image will be given out on tonight's show, which goes to air at 8.30 on TV ONE.

Over the last three years Dancing with The Stars has raised $1.1 million for charity, through the generosity of the New Zealand public.

TVNZ's Head of Television, Jeff Latch, says it is important that New Zealanders know that TVNZ is doing everything it can to maximise the amount of money going to the charities, and takes no revenue itself from either voting or wallpapers.

"Through the show TVNZ has had a unique opportunity to contribute both practical help to charities and tremendous enjoyment to the whole country," he says.

"New Zealanders are known as a generous people, and I hope that will be reflected in support for this year's show. The mobile wallpaper is another way to put a little more in the bucket for charity."

ENDS

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