January 3, 2006
East and West really ARE different, at least when it comes to ringtones
Mobile entertainment firm Moderati compared (for the fun!) the top download ringtome lists for the East vs. West Coast, using area code as a proxy for region. Although far from scientific in an age of number portability, some trends emerged.
Dr. Dre's 2000 release, Still Dre, remained on the top of the West Coast charts, ending 2005 as the #4 most downloaded tone, compared with an East Coast ranking of #19. Those back East seem to prefer the mob-drenched theme of the Godfather, bringing it in at #3, compared with a #14 ranking from Angelenos.
The O.C theme song California came in at #16 in the 917 area, but did not make the top 20 in the 213 area.
Comparing downloads of Northern Californians in the 415 area code to Southern Californians in 310, Moderati found yet more differences. The top ringtone for the 415 area code was the video game theme Super Mario Brothers, not surprising in the land of Electronic Arts, Sega and LucasArts. That same ringtone landed at #6 in the 213
area code.
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