KMPH Launches Free Text Message Service

Here’s an idea that radio has talked about using in the context improving the Emergency Alert System.
KMPH(TV) in Fresno, Calif. has begun offering viewers free text messaging using TextCaster software. The “KMPH FOX 26 First Alert News” delivers news and program-oriented text messages to cell phones, including breaking news alerts and national security alerts, a daily morning weather forecast, traffic alerts, contest information, daily stock market closing information, and Amber Alerts.
A Pappas executive said roughly 70% of the U.S. population owns cell phones, or about 180 million users.
Pappas Telecasting has initiated text-messaging service at KTNC(TV), the Azteca America affiliate in the San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose and Sacramento-Stockton-Modesto markets, offering a text service with Amber Alerts in Spanish.
The company previously announced plans to offer text-messaging service at TV stations in Omaha, Neb., El Paso, Texas, Yuma, Ariz., and Lincoln, Neb.