NBC Hurricane Benefit Concert Brings in $23 Million

The American Red Cross and NBCUniversal announced on Saturday that “Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together,” a live, one-hour benefit telethon, generated nearly $23 million in support of victims impacted by Hurricane Sandy. 

Donations by phone, text and online were accepted by the American Red Cross during the Friday night concert and exceeded previous benefit telethons in support of the American Red Cross over the last five years.

“We are incredibly grateful and humbled by this outpouring of support for those who are suffering as a result of Superstorm Sandy,” said American Red Cross Chief Marketing Officer Peggy Dyer. “Our preliminary results of nearly $23 million raised are an extraordinary example of how the American people pull together in times of disaster. Their generous donations will go directly to those in need, and we urge the public to continue to give. We also thank the dedicated and talented team at NBCUniversal for the millions of people they have helped through this telethon."

Hosted by NBC “Today” anchor Matt Lauer, the live telethon featured performances by Christina Aguilera (NBC’s “The Voice”), Mary J. Blige, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Joe Perry, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Sting and Steven Tyler as well as appearances by Kevin Bacon, Jimmy Fallon (NBC’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”), Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Jon Stewart and NBC News’
Brian Williams.

The benefit telethon was broadcast live from the New York studios of NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza across the NBCUniversal networks including: NBC, Bravo, CNBC, E!, G4, MSNBC, NBC Sports
Network, Style, Syfy and USA as well as HBO, Discovery’s Fit & Health and Velocity networks, The Weather Channel and Wealth TV. The NBC Owned and some affiliate television stations live-streamed the telethon on their websites.

Comcast’s xfinity.com/TV, Hulu and more than 100 Gannett-owned websites, including usatoday.com, live streamed the telethon, along with multiple NBCUniversal digital properties, including: NBC.com, Fandango, iVillage, g4tv.com, nbcnews.com and weather.com.

Clear Channel radio stations, along with a number of local radio stations from
across the Tri-State area, simulcast coverage of the event.

The American Red Cross response to Sandy is very large and will be very costly, affecting a massive area spanning much of the eastern half of the country. Financial donations help the American Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy. To donate, people can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-HELPNOW or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.