Confirming yesterday's reports, MTV and VH1 have announced they will devote eight hours of coverage to Live 8 on July 2. The networks will show live performances, interviews with artists, footage of the original Live Aid in 1985 and a look at the G8 summit itself. The coverage will air from noon until 8 p.m., and will also be simulcast on mtvU. Highlights and recaps of the previous day's events will be show on July 3 on CMT and VH1 Classic."Our proudest moments are when we use our unique global position to help connect our audience with the important events of the day and offer a creative outlet for artists to express themselves about the issues of our time," said MTV Networks Chairman Judy McGrath in a statement. "Live 8 is one of those moments, and we're glad to join our musical brothers and sisters in every corner of the world to help shine the spotlight on ending poverty."
Additionally, Premiere Radio Networks will cover Live 8 for terrestrial radio, with two separate feeds for Rock and Pop stations. Premiere's coverage will run from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and later offer "Best Of Live 8" specials to stations. Yesterday it was announced that XM would have exclusive satellite coverage of the event, on two of its channels.
Two more big name bands have been added to the Live 8 line up. Audioslave will play the Berlin concert, alongside Green Day, Brian Wilson, Roxy Music and others. Jet has been added to the Canadian concert in Barrie, ON. The Aussie rockers joked with MTV.com about their inclusion on the bill. Singer/drummer Chris Cester said, "It worked out really well because we did a horrible show in Toronto the last time, so it's really good to be able to go back and give them a good show. And it's good to be part of something." Added bassist Mark Wilson, "We're not a real political band. We have a song called 'Cold Hard Bitch,' so you do the math."
