Telethon

A telethon is a fundraising event broadcast on television that lasts many hours or even days, the purpose of which is to raise money for a charitable, political, or other allegedly worthy cause. Correspondingly, the term, a portmanteau, derives from the words "television" and "marathon." The format of a telethon usually consists of performances by singers, musicians, comedians, or other entertainers interspersed with pitches for donations. Typically the program is staged on a set containing volunteer telephone operators, a stage, a tote board that displays the amount of money raised, a band, and a studio audience.

Related Topics:
Fundraising - Television - Portmanteau - Marathon - Tote board

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Telethons are held for various organisations around the world. In the United States, telethons are held for groups such as Muscular Dystrophy Associations, the St. Jude Children's Hospital; the Shriners; Armenia Fund; Chabad; and the Public Broadcasting System. In the United Kingdom, regular telethons are held for charitable groups such as Comic Relief and the BBC's Children in Need.

Related Topics:
United States - Muscular Dystrophy - Children's Hospital - Shriners - Chabad - Public Broadcasting System - United Kingdom - Comic Relief - Children in Need

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The most successful annual Telethon per capita in the world is run over 25 hours in Western Australia by Seven Perth for the Princess Margaret Children's Hospital, Perth.

Related Topics:
Western Australia - Seven Perth - Princess Margaret

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In 2004, Armenia Fund held an international Telethon that was broadcasted to all major U.S. cities and across the globe. The 12 hour live program was able to raise a record $11.5 million for humanitarian and infrastructure development programs in Armenia.

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The 2004 Asian Tsunami also led to telethons being held in countries such as Canada (CTV), United States (NBC) and Australia (a joint telecast between the Seven Network, Nine Network and Network Ten).

Related Topics:
2004 Asian Tsunami - Canada - CTV - United States - NBC - Australia - Seven Network - Nine Network - Network Ten

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