NBC's The Voice will use iTunes purchases as votes

The Voice is an NBC reality talent show that lets singers compete for US$100,000 and a recording deal with Universal Republic Records. Like other reality shows, The Voice lets viewers vote for their favorite contestants by phone, through the NBC Live app, and online at NBC.com. A new twist in the rules will also let people vote with their wallet by counting a vote every time someone buys the artist's song on iTunes.

Admittedly, some votes will be accidentally cast by iTunes users who are buying out of pleasure and not for voting reasons, but NBC and Universal Media Studios don't seem to mind. They seem happy with the new voting scheme which links sales to popularity and generates extra money for all involved.