Haiti Telethon Raises $57 Million

Friday's "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon raised more than $57 million in earthquake relief funds in the first 24 hours after it aired live on more than 50 domestic networks and in 60 countries.

The figure does not include contributions by corporations or large private donations, which will be factored in later. It also does not include proceeds from online music downloads of the broadcast, which featured headline performances by Wyclef Jean, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, Sting, Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera and several others.

The "Hope for Haiti Now" album became the biggest one-day preorder in iTunes history and became the No. 1 iTunes recording in 18 countries. The studio version of "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)," the original track performed by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, and Rihanna during "Hope for Haiti Now," rose to become the No. 1 song on iTunes in 12 countries.

Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Emeline Michel were also among the artists appearing on the telethon, along with two group performances: by Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow in Los Angeles, and by Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, and Rihanna in London.

"The public has set a new standard of giving for a relief telethon with "Hope for Haiti Now," said Lisa Paulsen, prexy and CEO of the Entertainment Industry Foundation, which is ensuring proper fiduciary oversight and administration of all donated funds.

"Hope for Haiti Now" will continue accepting donations for six months at http://www.hopeforhaitinow.org/ as well as by phone, text message and mail.