Telstra connects Australians to the biggest night of the year

Telstra is again giving all Australians the opportunity to be part of the biggest celebration of the year by providing a live YouTube stream of the 2013 Sydney New Year’s Eve party from Sydney Harbour.

The four hour interactive show will be hosted by Australian comedian Merrick Watts and feature a special one hour live performance by Empire of the Sun. It builds on the success of last year’s Telstra YouTube live stream which experienced more than 600,000 views.

Lead Singer of Empire Of The Sun, Emperor Steele, said Empire Of The Sun! NYE! Sydney Harbour... It was meant to be! There is no better way to bring in the New Year! We will give a performance that people will never forget!

Telstra Director Corporate Marketing, Inese Kingsmill, said Telstra was proud to be sponsoring City of Sydney’s New Year’s Eve event for the second year in a row and through Telstra’s technology, delivering experiences for those Australians at the event or tuning in around Australia and the world.

“After the success of the app and YouTube stream last year we wanted to make sure Australians could again connect to each other and the fireworks in an even bigger way this year,” Ms Kingsmill said.

“The live streaming of Sydney New Year’s Eve celebrations from 8.30pm on the Telstra’s YouTube channel as well as T-Box will take the complete show to a global audience.

Host of the YouTube show, Merrick Watts said, “When I heard that I was going to be in charge of letting off the fireworks for the NYE celebrations I was delighted. Sadly, I heard that wrong. However I am doubly thrilled to be hosting the celebrations for Telstra on their exclusive YouTube broadcast. I promise not to accidentally set fire to myself. "

Telstra has also released a free interactive Sydney New Year’s Eve app allowing users on any network to send 50 free text messages to loved ones and send celebratory messages to the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylons.

“From Darwin to Darling Harbour, anyone with this app in Australia can preload 50 texts that we will send to their family and friends for free while they kick off the New Year,” Ms Kingsmill added.

“Revelers can also write a special celebration message to be projected on the Sydney Harbour Bridge pylon and receive a picture message of it back to their phone so they can send to a friend or share on social media; however they want to connect with loved ones.

“New Year’s Eve is a time for resolutions and celebrations with friends and family. Sharing messages with people we care about is a key component of any New Year’s Eve celebration so we wanted to make these connections easier than ever before – no matter which mobile network you are on.

"In a first for Telstra we have also collaborated with Australian articistic icon and City of Sydney NYE ambassador Reg Mombassa who has created a version of our logo in his signature style. We love his signature quirky interpretation of the Telstra identity and you'll see it featured throughout our NYE communications," Ms Kingsmill said.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the free app would also provide venue capacity updates and other transport and safety advice for people attending the event.

“Sydney is one of the first major cities to see in the New Year and it’s very exciting that the whole world will now be able to share our countdown via YouTube.”

To download* the 2013 Sydney New Year’s Eve app go to: Google Play or the App Store, and search Sydney New Year’s Eve.

To watch Telstra’s 2013 Sydney New Year’s Eve YouTube Show live 8:30pm – 12:30am go to Telstra's YouTube channel or channel 919 on your T-Box

*Download charges may apply.