Los Angeles - A weekend benefit
broadcast featuring recording stars performing live music online
from home raised nearly R143 million for two charities serving
first responders and Americans facing economic hardship amid the
coronavirus crisis, sponsors said on Monday.
The Sunday night show, hosted by Elton John from his
kitchen, featured Billie Eilish, the Backstreet Boys, Lizzo,
Alicia Keys, Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga and Tim McGraw - all
appearing by way of smartphones, home cameras or online
platforms.
The Fox broadcast network carried the hour-long show, dubbed
the "iHeart Living Room Concert for America," live without
commercial interruption, drawing 8.7 million television viewers,
Fox said.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/iHeartConcertonFOX?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#iHeartConcertonFOX #iHeartLivingRoomConcert pic.twitter.com/YJla9x3aUP
— The Pop Hub (@ThePopHub)
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/iHeartConcertonFOX?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#iHeartConcertonFOX pic.twitter.com/CfwXu6YQcZ
— Ashley Spencer (@AshleyySpencer)
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/iHeartConcertonFOX?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#iHeartConcertonFOX #iHeartLivingRoomConcert pic.twitter.com/DfXX4o577g
— Austin Kellerman (@AustinKellerman)
The songs were interspersed with short personal stories from
nurses, doctors, truckers, grocery staff, and other essential
workers as millions of Americans entered a second full week
subjected to stay-at-home orders designed to curb the spread of
coronavirus.
The concert, also broadcast on iHeart radio stations
nationwide, urged listeners to donate to two charities, Feeding
America and First Responders Children's Foundation.
As of Monday evening, the benefit special had raised nearly
R143 million for the two organizations, including R8.9 million donated
by household products giant Procter & Gamble and a matching sum
from Fox.
YouTube, which also made a donation in support of the cause,
will continue streaming the benefit show through Wednesday on
iHeart Radio's YouTube channel.