LOS ANGELES—Movie ticketing service Fandango said it plans to team with Sprint Nextel Corp. to allow the carrier’s subscribers to browse showtimes, receive alerts and buy tickets over the phone.
The service, which Fandango developed with Crisp Wireless, provides updated, localized movie information to users who send a film title and ZIP code to a short code. Users can also download ringtones, games and other movie-related content.
Movie information is free through the offering; moviegoers will pay roughly $1.25 per seat in addition to the ticket price when buying through the service. The application includes a component allowing advertisers to deliver targeted campaigns, and marketers can track the effectiveness of advertisements through ticket purchases.
While similar offerings have launched in Europe and Asia, Fandango’s ticket-purchasing option may be a first for U.S. subscribers.
“Everyone in the wireless world is looking for that one relevant application that will deliver on the promise of mobile entertainment,” said Art Levitt, Fandango’s chief executive officer. “We’re finding that moviegoers of all ages are using the application to check reviews, showtimes and purchase tickets on their phone and PDA.”
