ITV & STV Plan Concert for Ukraine

ITV, STV and Livewire Pictures have teamed with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and the media and entertainment group Global to stage the Concert for Ukraine broadcast to raise money for humanitarian aid on March 29.

The broadcast will feature music performances and short films recognizing the ongoing relief efforts and plight faced by those affected by the conflict in Ukraine. All money donated throughout the evening will go to the DEC’s Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal fund.

In addition, all sponsorship and advertising revenue generated from the broadcast across linear and simulcast, which is expected to raise over £3 million ($4 million), will be donated by ITV to the DEC fund. Marks & Spencer will headline sponsors.

The fundraiser concert will be broadcast across ITV, STV, ITV Hub and STV Player.

Katie Rawcliffe, head of entertainment commissioning at ITV, said: “Music is a very powerful tool when it comes to showing support and solidarity, and at ITV, we are proud and privileged to be working with Livewire Pictures, Global, Marks & Spencer and the DEC on such an important and necessary fundraising event.”

Bobby Hain, managing director of broadcast at STV, commented: “We’ve seen time and time again that the generosity of STV viewers knows no bounds. As the crisis in Ukraine continues to intensify at an alarming rate, this event will be an opportunity for our audiences to come together through the power of music, show our whole-hearted support for Ukraine and help make a difference to those affected through the work of DEC charities.”

Kelly Williams and Simon Daglish, managing director and deputy managing director of ITV Commercial, added: “As we’ve witnessed the horrific events unfolding before our eyes, we want to work with brands to show our industry’s support and raise as much money as possible for the millions of people affected by this crisis. The industry has a generous spirit at its heart, and now more than ever it is the time to come together and make a difference.”

Guy Freeman, managing director of Livewire Pictures, said: “Such is the strength of feeling within our industry from people who just want to do whatever they can to help, we’ve been overwhelmed by their generosity and that of every company—all donating their time and services to make this event a reality, at very short notice.”

Saleh Saeed, chief executive of the DEC, said: “It is heartbreaking to see the deepening crisis unfolding in Ukraine as more refugees cross the borders each day with nothing more than what they can carry. The situation for those inside the country is becoming increasingly precarious. But there is something we can all do to bring hope. Funds raised by this concert will make a real difference to those affected by the conflict, sending a strong message of love and enabling DEC charities to help now with urgent aid as well as help to rebuild lives in the months and years ahead.”

Saheed continued: “We are grateful to ITV, Livewire Pictures, Global and Marks & Spencer for their support to this appeal, [and] special thanks to ITV who have supported DEC with emergency appeals over many decades and just recently for Afghanistan.”

James Rea, Global’s director of broadcasting and content said: “This important fundraising event will raise vital funds for DEC, and Global is proud to be partnering with ITV, Livewire and DEC as we all try and do what we can for the people of Ukraine.”

Stuart Machin, chief operating officer at Marks & Spencer, added: “Watching this escalating humanitarian crisis, we all want to find a way to make a difference. At Marks & Spencer, we are doing everything we can to help the people of Ukraine—whether that’s through charity donations, sending urgent product supplies, launching customer giving in our stores or job opportunities for refugees. Our customers and colleagues have already been incredible in their response and by getting behind ITV’s Concert for Ukraine, it gives us all another way to show our support and raise vital funds for those so urgently in need.”