12-12-12 is an epic date and with it comes an epic concert. The 12-12-12 concert at Madison Square Garden is a benefit for Hurricane Sandy victims and it will feature some of the biggest musical acts out there. With such an outstanding lineup, it is expected that 2 billion people will be watching it.
Two billion people are expected to watch the live broadcast of the 12-12-12 benefit concert, the NY Post reports. Why? Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, The Who, Kanye West, Eddie Veder, Roger Waters, Chris Martin, Eric Clapton, Bon Jovi, Alicia Keys and Billy Joel will be taking the stage as they raise millions for those who were affected by Hurricane Sandy.
And that's not all. Actors including Steve Buscemi, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock and Kristen Stewart, Billy Crystal, Leonardo DiCaprio, are set to make appearances and take fundraising calls for the event.
If that amazing lineup wasn't enough to draw someone in, the viewership is expected to be high no matter what because those lucky one who were able to get tickets won't be the only one who get to see the show. It will be broadcasted just about everywhere.
The 13,500 tickets to the concert, which cost between $150 and $2,500 were sold out in minutes. Many appeared on outside ticketing sites with prices as high at $36,000 a ticket.
For those who weren't able to get a ticket, don't worry. It will be broadcasted live by 37 television networks, some of which include the MSG channel, the American Forces Network, the Cooking Channel, HBO Latin America, the Sundance Channel Asia and VH1 Brasil. It will also be on more local networks.
"We have an interesting television strategy in the United States. Basically, if you want to watch television on Wednesday night, the only thing you can watch is the concert," Cablevision CEO James Dolan told the NY Post.
For those who don't have TV, it will also be live-streamed online on AOL, YouTube, Hulu and Yahoo. It will also be aired on the radio through Clear Channel radio stations. It will even be broadcasted in movie theaters.
Between all of these outlets, the four hour concert can reach up to two billion people, making it the most-watched musical event in history.
A similar concert was held in 2001, shortly after the attacks of September 11. The "Concert for New York" raised $35 million altogether between ticket sales, a telethon, DVDs and CDs. The 12.12.12. Hurricane Sandy concert will surpass that. The concert has already raised $32 million through tickets and donations and it hasn't even started yet.
With the help of the Robin Hood Foundation, the money raised will go towards helping those who were affected by Hurricane Sandy. Hundreds of people in coastal communities around New York and New Jersey lost their homes as they were flooded, collapsed, or burned to the ground. Everyone was affected in some way in those communities and every bit will help as they try to get back on their feet and recover.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
