NEW YORK, Nov. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy, the networks of NBCUniversal -- including NBC, Bravo, CNBC, E!, G4, MSNBC, Style, Syfy and USA – will join forces to air a one-hour live benefit telethon, "Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together," on Friday, November 2 (8-9 pm ET).

Hosted by NBC "Today" anchor Matt Lauer, the telethon will be broadcast from the New York studios of NBC at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.  It will air live across the East Coast and tape-delayed on the West.  Additional networks could join the broadcast of the telethon prior to airtime.

Money collected will be donated to the American Red Cross relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy.

The telethon also will be live-streamed on NBC.com.

The event will feature performances by artists including Christina Aguilera (NBC's "The Voice"), Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen and Sting, and appearances by Jimmy Fallon (NBC's "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon") and NBC News' Brian Williams.

The American Red Cross response to Sandy is very large and will be very costly, affecting a massive area spanning much of the eastern half of the country. Financial donations help the American Red Cross provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to those affected by disasters like Hurricane Sandy. To donate, people can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

SOURCE NBCUniversal