• by September 18, 2001

Television networks ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox are talking about organizing a television industry benefit broadcast for Friday night to raise money for relief and recovery from the terrorist attacks.

The goal is to show the planned two-hour special on as many broadcast and cable networks as possible simultaneously, according to four industry executives who spoke on condition of anonymity Monday.

Such an event is believed to have no precedent within the U.S. television industry.

It's not clear yet whether the networks would set up their own organization to collect donations or steer funds to an established group. The broadcast, which would salute heroism, would undoubtedly feature many entertainers, although no names have been made public yet.

Broadcasters were scrambling Monday to put the event together.

After President George W. Bush asked Americans to get back to work, television networks on Monday moved toward a more normal schedule. Even the soap operas returned after being off the air for a week.

The broadcasters all covered live the opening of the New York Stock Exchange Monday morning. - (AP)