WNET stations "pledge" for Sandy 12-12-12 concert

Public television stations THIRTEEN, WLIW21 and NJTV to support tri-state community by broadcasting "12-12-12" The Concert for Sandy Relief; Stations petitioned FCC for special permission. 

December 11, 2012--WNET, parent company of public media outlets THIRTEEN, WLIW21 and operator of NJTV, will broadcast "12-12-12" The Concert for Sandy Relief--a fundraising event to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy--on December 12 at 8:00 p.m.

All three public television stations will broadcast the concert, which will also be carried widely on U.S. cable channels and streamed online nationally and internationally.  

WNET had to petition the FCC for special permission to air the concert, as public stations by law may not raise funds for any other non-profit cause.

"We've been serving the tri-state community for 50 years, and Sandy did enormous damage to our friends, neighbors and viewers," said Neal Shapiro, President and CEO of WNET, "We typically ask people to support our stations and programming but, the opportunity to broadcast this incredible concert and raise funds for victims of this storm, was something we had to seize. We've been supporting our community by reporting on the storm and providing information to viewers since the storm hit, but this is a different kind of community support and I'm happy the FCC is allowing us to provide it."  

Iconic performers Bon Jovi, Eric Clapton, Dave Grohl, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Chris Martin, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band, Eddie Vedder, Roger Waters, Kanye West, The Who, and Paul McCartney will perform at the "12-12-12" concert December 12, 2012 at Madison Square Garden. The concert will be available to nearly two billion people worldwide via 37 U.S. Networks; television feeds to North & South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia; radio broadcast; and live streaming from the world's largest online video providers.  

"12-12-12" is being produced by James Dolan, Executive Chairman of The Madison Square Garden Company; John Sykes, President of Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises; and Harvey Weinstein, Co-Founder and Chairman of The Weinstein Company.  

Thanks to the generosity of concert organizers, sponsors, and Robin Hood's board of directors, every single penny from ticket purchases and donations will go to serve the victims of Hurricane Sandy through the Robin Hood Relief Fund.The Robin Hood Relief Fund provides money, material and know-how to local organizations that are serving families and individuals in the regions hardest hit by the storm.

The most up to date information on "12-12-12" can be found by visiting www.121212concert.org.