MSOs unite for Haiti relief

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Some of the nation’s top cable operators have joined together to give cable customers a way to support relief efforts in Haiti via a Video On Demand (VOD) showcase of the much-anticipated “We Are The World 25 For Haiti” – a brand-new, contemporary version of the iconic 1985 philanthropic anthem “We Are the World.”


From now until March 14, cable customers in Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks systems around the country can watch the star-studded, long-form video via the VOD platform. 100% of the video’s $2.99 price will be donated to the We Are the World Foundation, a not-for-profit organization. The foundation, formed by legendary producer Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie, who both serve as executive producers and producers of the re-recording of the iconic We Are The World, among others, is committed to providing long-term assistance to the Haitian people through an organization that will be operated with full transparency and using state-of-the-art technology and star power.

The long-form video version of the song, featuring over 80 of the world’s top recording stars, and directed by Academy-Award winner Paul Haggis, is now available in 33 million cable homes, following a preview of a shorter version during the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games on Friday February 12th, broadcast by NBC.  Performers of all generations and backgrounds got together in Los Angeles on February 1st – nearly 25 years to the day from the day of the first recording – to re-record the song that is still the best-selling single of all-time.

The production was made possible through financial support from Visa Inc. The cable On Demand project came together through the efforts of Quincy Jones and media entrepreneur Alexis Denny of Normandy International.  They brought the idea to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, who enlisted the nation’s top VOD distributor, iN DEMAND to coordinate the effort and bring in the company’s other owners; Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks and Cox Communications, who quickly agreed to participate.

“For Comcast to bring together the cable industry leaders in the same spirit of collaboration that the artists shared in the studio was very fitting, and I am enormously grateful to Brian Roberts and Comcast, as well as Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks for their inspired support of our efforts to bring much needed relief to the people of Hait,” said Quincy Jones.

“The crisis in Haiti has stirred an outpouring of emotion and concern around the world. As technology continues to change our lives, we wanted to find a way to put the vast resources of our industry into the broad effort so many individuals and organizations were making,” said Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts.  

“Just as there was no hesitation from nearly one hundred of the world’s most gifted performers to lend their talents and voices to create an incredibly compelling piece of contemporary entertainment, there was also no hesitation from iN DEMAND and their cable owners Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications and Bright House Networks to come together in this heroic effort to bring hope and relief to the people of Haiti,” said Lionel Richie.

Here is where to access the video on the various cable systems:

Comcast: VOD Top Picks
Time Warner Cable: Movies On Demand
Cox: Movies On Demand
Bright House Networks: Movies On Demand