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Broadcasters Expand Katrina Fund-Raiser

Sep 7, 2005  •  Post A Comment

The broadcast networks will expand their fund-raising platform on Friday, Sept. 9, beyond the one-hour “Shelter From the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast” prime-time special by allowing viewers to call in donations starting with the morning news programs and concluding on the late-night shows. The proceeds from the event will go to the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army.

Phone lines for Hurricane Katrina relief aid will officially open at 7 a.m. (ET) Friday during ABC’s “Good Morning America,” CBS’s “Early Show,” NBC’s “Today” show and local affiliate morning shows on Fox, The WB and UPN.

Phone lines will remain open during the daytime and will be promoted on such shows as ABC’s “The View” and then continue into the network late-night programs, including ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” CBS’s “Late Show With David Letterman” and “Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson” and NBC’s “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” “Late Night With Conan O’Brien” and “Last Call With Carson Daly.”

Viewers will be advised where they can donate to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort through on-air talent or on-screen messages. Participation will vary by program.

All contributions collected from the morning, prime-time and late-night fund-raising efforts will go to either the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army, depending on the donor’s preference.

Musical performers scheduled to appear on the special include Sheryl Crow, the Dixie Chicks, Alicia Keys, Randy Newman, Paul Simon, Rod Stewart and Neil Young. Celebrity participants include Jennifer Aniston, Cameron Diaz, Ellen DeGeneres, Jack Nicholson, Chris Rock, Ray Romano and Sela Ward.

A number of cable outlets announced Wednesday they would simulcast the special, including AmericanLife TV, CNBC, Court TV, Fox Movie Channel, FUEL TV, Fox College Sports Pacific, GSN, Lifetime, MSNBC, Showtime, Speed Channel and Style Network. “Storm” will also be televised in more than 100 countries.