Channel 7 & Foxtel Join Forces To Televise ‘Fire Fight Australia’ Benefit

Organisers TEG Dainty and TEG Live announced Feb. 2 that free-to-air Channel 7 and Foxtel pay-TV joined forces to live-broadcast the 10-hour, sold-out Feb. 16 show at ANZ Stadium to encourage more donations from across Australia.

The huge bill sees Queen + Adam, Michael Buble (in a live cross from his Melbourne show), k.d. lang, and Alice Cooper join with Aussies 5 Seconds of Summer, Icehouse, Olivia Newton-John, John Farnham, Delta Goodrem, Tina Arena Guy Sebastian, Amy Shark and Peking Duk among others.

It will be hosted by comedian/actor Celeste Barber, whose own online appeal raised A$50 million ($33.4 million).

TEG CEO Geoff Jones said: “In the three weeks since we announced Fire Fight Australia, the response has been fantastic. 

“Seven and Foxtel’s generous offer to co-fund a telecast gives all Australians the chance to watch these wonderful artists share one stage for the same cause – and a further opportunity to help Australians whose lives have been turned upside down by this appalling national tragedy.”

 

Foxtel’s concert coverage will be on FOX8 HD and Channel [V] from 1 pm (AEST) with additional coverage on Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO and 7plus throughout the event.

Viewers will be encouraged to donate via www.firefightaustralia.com to the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal’s Fire Fight Fund.

The foundation has for 14 years partnered with philanthropists, governments and businesses to support rural, regional and remote communities, and its CEO Natalie Egleton noted, “We know that the recovery will be a marathon; not a sprint. FRRR will be there to support communities on the long road ahead, providing funding for locally-identified needs throughout their recovery.”

Estimated economic costs of the bushfires were upgraded from A$4 billion ($2.67 billion) in early January to A$100 billion ($66.9 billion) by end of the month.