1) No, I would have bought it anyway.
2) I would have visited the official website anyways, as I regularly do.
3) I would have bought the tickets anyway, but it did help me in all the fuss of not having to worry about getting the tickets in the general sale.
4) If it was to work outside US, I think I would submit my mobile number to receive up-to-date news on my mobile.
5) Once a week would be ok, assuming that there would be real news happening. I wouldn't pay for it though because it would probably be very difficult with the payment, and expensive to receive SMS's to Finland.

Good luck with your study!

JoviLaura