MTV, VH1, CMT to air Katrina telethon

MTV, VH1 and CMT in the US will air a music-led telethon to raise money for victims of Hurricane Katrina on September 10, MTV's parent company Viacom announced on Wednesday evening.

"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 Judy McGrath, chairman and CEO of MTV Networks. "This is always the first and best instinct of all our millions of viewers, and the artists we know so well. If we can offer a platform to contribute in some meaningful way, all of our MTV Networks brands will be there.

"Our goal is to join forces on every medium to get involved, to volunteer, to contribute in any way we can."

Live programming from New York City, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Nashville will start an ongoing relief campaign across all MTV Networks stations. Performances by Ludacris, Green Day, Gretchen Wilson, Usher, Alicia Keys, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews Band, Rob Thomas, David Banner, Linkin Park's Chester Bennington and many others will be simulcast on MTV, VH1, CMT, MTV2, VH1 Classic, MTV Overdrive and VSpot. No information on international airings was available on Wednesday evening.

"There's been an outpouring of support and concern and a desire to help from the artist community, our audiences and our employees," said Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks Music Group. "We feel fortunate to be able to provide a forum to channel all of this energy and good will and to let the people in the affected states know that we're there for them. Many of the artists across our channels are from the affected areas and have a strong connection to the south. We are looking to activate every hip-hop, rock, country, R&B, and pop music fan out there to get involved and help support the relief efforts."

Viacom also announced that it is making a $1m cash donation to the American Red Cross.