NEW YORK, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- MTV, VH1, and CMT said Wednesday they will simulcast a live performance special to raise funds for an ongoing Hurricane Katrina relief campaign.
The special, scheduled to air Saturday, Sept. 10, will raise funds for the American Red Cross and other relief organizations. MTV Networks head Judy McGrath said the campaign is also intended to promote volunteerism among the MTV, VH1 and CMT audiences.
"In the face of a tragedy of this scope, we simply have to do everything in our power to offer support, comfort and hope to all the people directly impacted by the hurricane," said McGrath. "This is always the first and best instinct of all our millions of viewers, and the artists we know so well."
Plans call for the campaign to kick off with a live programming block on Saturday from locations in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Nashville. Scheduled performers include Ludacris, Green Day, Gretchen Wilson, Usher, Alicia Keys, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews Band. Additional details will be announced later.
MTV Networks' parent company, Viacom, said it is donating $1 million to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Effort and instituting a matching gift program for employee donations.
