• by Wayne Friedman , September 1, 2005

After a flurry of activity from broadcast and cable networks yesterday, two and perhaps three major efforts are underway to stage concert benefits to raise money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Executives at the six major networks--CBS, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, UPN, and the WB Network--reportedly said they planned to simulcast a concert event similar to what the television industry did with "America: A Tribute to Heroes" benefit after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

New Orleans native Ellen DeGeneres reportedly would host the event to benefit the Gulf Coast areas that were the hardest hit by the hurricane.

Earlier in the day, first NBC Universal Television Group, and then MTV Networks Group separately announced plans to stage live prime-time concert benefit specials.

NBC, MSNBC, and CNBC will be simulcasting "A Concert For Hurricane Relief" in high-definition this Friday from 8-9:00 p.m. EST, featuring Louisiana natives Tim McGraw, Harry Connick, Jr., and Wynton Marsalis. Celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio will also make appearances. The concert will be hosted by "Today" anchor Matt Lauer.

MTV Networks, including MTV, VH1, and CMT, is also making preparations for a live concert performance on September 10th, featuring Ludacris, Green Day, Gretchen Wilson, Usher, Alicia Keys, John Mellencamp, the Dave Matthews Band, Rob Thomas, David Banner, and Linkin Park's Chester Bennington from stages in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Nashville. The performance will be simulcast on MTV, VH1, and CMT, as well as MTV2, mtvU, VH1 Classic, and MTV Overdrive and VSpot, the broadband video networks.

Both NBC's and MTV's efforts would encourage viewers to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.