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UPDATE: MuchMoreMusic, CBC Radio and TV to air "SARS-stock"

7/25/2003

TORONTO - What is going to be the biggest concert in Canadian history is now going to be the biggest concert telecast in the country's history.

As reported here and by other news outlets yesterday, Canadian fans can stay tuned to Chum Television's MuchMoreMusic for "all the action surrounding" the much-anticipated Molson Canadian Rocks For Toronto concert.

MuchMoreMusic vice-president and general manager David Kines confirmed late yesterday that the channel will provide fans a one-stop package of exclusive live updates, performance highlights and backstage profiles beginning at noon ET from the site at Downsview Park, followed by a two-hour concert highlights special at 9 p.m. ET with selected performances from the day-long event, as well as from headliners The Rolling Stones.

The day-long concert is a benefit for the city of Toronto, which has seen its tourist industry ravaged by the world-wide hysteria over the SARS virus, to help rebuild its profile, raise funds for local health care workers and draw visitors back to the city. So far, over 430,000 tickets have been sold.

Besides The Stones, bands and performers will include Blue Rodeo, The Tea Party, The Flaming Lips, The Isley Brothers, Sass Jordan, Justin Timberlake, Sam Roberts, Rush, the Guess Who and AC/DC.

Throughout next Wednesday, July 30th, MuchMoreMusic correspondents Bill Welychka, Karina Huber and Richard Cazeau will bring fans the scene from the concert site.

"All our staff are ready to get on site and begin work on this historic Canadian broadcast event," said Kines. "Partnering with the organizers has been a chance for us to not only support the City of Toronto, but to have MuchMoreMusic give fans across Canada an unprecedented day of all-access coverage."

Also from 9 to 11 p.m., CBC Television and CBC Radio One will together present a shared event from the site. Radio-Canada will also telecast this two-hour show while CBC Newsworld and RDI will report live from the event throughout the day.

"This is terrific news for Canadians across the country," said Slawko Klymkiw, executive director of network programming for CBC Television. "We are very pleased to be able to take part in what promises to be a great show and a good public service, and to bring this event to viewers and listeners from coast to coast to coast."

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