Wizcraft, Viacom 18 Partner to Bring Vax Live to Indian TV Screens

by  EVENTFAQS Bureau Industry Watch | May 10, 2021 | News

Wizcraft International Global Citizen Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World

International advocacy organisation Global Citizen’s concert ‘Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World’ hit screens worldwide on 9 May 2021. Besides the stream on Global Citizen’s YouTube channel, which has garnered over a million views in a day, the show was also televised globally.

Wizcraft International Entertainment and Viacom 18 partnered to bring the event to Viacom18’s TV network in India covering VH1, Comedy Central and Colors Infinity.

The concert, which featured global leaders and celebrities, saw vaccinated frontline workers in the audience. The event was pre-recorded at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, and hosted by multi-platinum recording artiste, actor and producer Selena Gomez. It featured musical performances by Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, J Balvin and H.E.R. Adding celebrity power were Ben Affleck, Chrissy Teigen, David Letterman, Gayle King, Jimmy Kimmel, Nomzamo Mbatha, Olivia Munn and Sean Penn.

Vax Live was conceptualised to inspire vaccine confidence worldwide and help get the Covid19 vaccines to everyone, everywhere. It is part of Global Citizen’s 2021 Recovery Plan for the World, a year-long campaign and series of events that aim to help end Covid19 for all, end the hunger crisis, resume learning everywhere, protect the planet, and advance equity for all.

Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, served as Campaign Chairs of Vax Live and delivered a global message for vaccine equity during the event. Harry also expressed solidarity with Indian families suffering in the second Covid19 wave at the event, which was followed on the broadcast / stream by an appeal by Amitabh Bachchan for the cause.

Concert viewers also witnessed special appearances on the broadcast by Pope Francis, President Joe Biden,  First Lady Dr Biden, President Macron of France, Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada, and Prime Minister Plenković of Croatia.

Global Citizen had announced that it had secured commitments from a number of philanthropic and private sector partners totalling $53.8 million for vaccine procurement, medical tools and supplies, a week before the 8 May broadcast of the concert. The campaign had originally set a goal of securing 10 million Covid19 vaccine doses to help the world's most marginalized communities and healthcare workers. The contribution till 1 May would help procure nearly 10.3 million vaccine doses, according to the advocacy group.