How televoting works in reality shows

Televoting is the system by which the public chooses who stays and who leaves a program. Over the years, it has become the driving force behind reality shows , talent shows, and music festivals: from Big Brother to X Factor , all the way to Sanremo . Understanding how it works helps you vote without surprises.

The basic rules are simple: you vote via SMS , with a call from a landline, or through official apps and websites . However, the weight of each vote, costs, and controls vary from broadcast to broadcast. Here's the complete guide.

What is televoting and when did it originate?

Televoting is a voting system that takes place over the telephone or, by extension, via SMS and the Internet . It is used primarily on television to allow the public to express a preference or to determine the winner of a competition. The first applications date back to the first half of the 1990s , with the Eurovision Song Contest among the first to adopt it in place of juries.

In Italy, televoting has become a staple of the Sanremo Music Festival , where it complements the Demoscopic Jury and the Quality Jury . However, reality shows make the most extensive use of it: episode after episode, the audience decides which contestant to eliminate or the final winner. Over time, the system has increasingly shifted to digital , with apps and websites collecting votes.

How to vote: SMS, phone, and app

The methods vary depending on the program, but the format is always the same. With an SMS , you send the contestant's name or code to a dedicated number and receive a confirmation message confirming the validity of the vote. With a landline call , you listen to the recorded message and press the indicated button.

Many programs also offer free voting via the official app or website, with a limited number of votes per user. This is the case, for example, with Big Brother , which allows free voting on Mediaset Infinity and the official website. The specific rules and numbers are almost always explained in an overlay during the live broadcast, as in the guide on how Big Brother VIP works.

How much does televoting cost?

The cost of voting via SMS or phone call varies depending on the operator and the program. Historically, it was around one euro per vote, but over the years rates have dropped: for Sanremo and Eurovision, they dropped to around 0,50 euros . For Mediaset reality shows, the maximum cost is currently around 0,16 euros including VAT , with the figure increasing slightly for some operators.

Voting via the app or website , where available, is generally free . Before sending a text message, it's always a good idea to check your remaining credit and the number indicated by the broadcast, as numbers and rates may change from one edition to the next. For the Festival, it's worth reading the guide on how to vote at Sanremo 2026.

Who manages the votes and how they are controlled

Televoting is not managed directly by the TV network: the production outsources it to external companies specialized in managing SMS and phone calls, which store and process the data. The proceeds are split between the telephone operator , the processing company, the TV network, the show's producer, and the format owner.

Notaries and, upon request, representatives of AGCOM and consumer associations are responsible for ensuring compliance . This matter is also regulated by the Ministry of Communications Decree of March 2, 2006, No. 14. In the event of technical malfunctions, the broadcaster may cancel the televoting and repeat it.

How televoting affects reality shows

In reality shows , televoting weighs differently depending on the format. In some programs, it's the only means of selection; in others, it's combined with juries or studio audience polls . In Sanremo , for example, televoting coexists with the Press Room and the Radio Jury , with percentages established by the official rules.

A well-known limitation is the ability of a single user to submit multiple votes , with the risk of altering the outcome. For this reason, some competitions, such as Eurovision , impose a cap on the number of votes per user, while in Italy, the Antitrust Authority fined RAI in 2011 for a call center incident, subsequently forcing the company to remind itself of the system's limitations.

The differences between the programs

Each show has its own rules. In Big Brother, the audience saves or eliminates contestants, with free voting via app and paid voting via SMS: the details are explained in the guide on how to vote in Big Brother televoting . In talent shows like X Factor, televoting can decide the challenges between contestants.

At Sanremo, the weight of televoting varies between cover nights and champions' nights. To get the hang of it, it's always a good idea to check the official rules published by the show, which list the numbers , costs , and opening and closing times . If a number isn't confirmed on the official page, it's best not to submit anything.

Polls and televoting: what's changing?

Many reality shows complement televoting with online polls , which don't decide the outcome but rather guide the audience. Polls are indicative and non-binding: only valid votes recorded by the official system count. Therefore, the percentages on web portals almost never match the final result.

Also beware of invalid votes : a text message with a misspelled name, sent outside the voting window, or to an incorrect number will not count. Voting is recommended only when the broadcast announces that televoting is open, following the on-screen instructions.

Why televoting is controversial

Over the years, televoting has been the subject of controversy over alleged vote inflating by call centers and disputed results. Broadcasters have responded with stricter regulations, notarial oversight, and voting caps, while consumers are demanding greater transparency regarding costs.

Another issue concerns minors : voting is theoretically reserved for adults , but there are no effective controls. For this reason, many apps require registration with a phone number or account, to limit abuse and track votes.

In short: how to vote

• SMS: send the contestant's name or code to the broadcast number
• call: dial the dedicated number from a landline and follow the recorded message
• App or website: voting is often free, with a limit on the number of preferences per user

FAQ

Is televoting always paid? No. You pay via text message or phone call , while voting on apps and websites is often free, with a limit on the number of votes.

How much does a vote via SMS cost? It depends on the operator: on Mediaset reality shows, it costs about €0,16 including VAT , with slight variations between providers.

Who controls the televoting? External companies manage the votes, with notaries and, upon request, representatives of AGCOM and consumer associations.

Can you vote multiple times? Yes, but some programs limit the number of votes per user to prevent manipulation.

Does televoting always decide the winner? Not always: in many formats it is combined with juries , like in Sanremo or Eurovision.

Where can I find updated numbers and rules? On the show's official pages , which list numbers, costs, and televoting opening hours.

Is voting reserved for adults? In theory, yes, but there are no effective age checks.