“There's no point just 5,000 fans turning up at Wembley; we need to have Wembley linked with Madison Square Gardens, and the whole show to be televised worldwide.” -Bob Geldof, Assesing Aid Efforts, 1985

Queen being introduced before their performance of Bohemian Rhapsody, MTV, 1985

Satellite

The concert was broadcast on 16 satellites to most countries of the world and reached 85% of TV sets globally.

Bob Geldof even arranged for countries not equipped to broadcast the event by satellite to receive a videotape by diplomatic pouch the next day.

Television and Radio

Total 17 hour coverage by MTV and Prime time feed on ABC-TV.

Worldwide radio coverage on 1400 stations with the BBC linking up Europe, ABC radio covering the US and U.S Radio Syndication hooking up the rest of the world through satellite linkage, long lines and even ham radios.

Coverage of various time periods throughout the day until 6:00pm (EDT) for 105 independant American stations cleared by Orbis Communications.

Phone Network

The event was expected to receive over 800,000 calls to donate.
AT&T set up the largest telephone network ever to receive calls on behalf of the cause.

“The network requires re-routing of 1,625 donated “800” lines from American Airlines, Avis Reservation Center, National Data Corporation, The Christian Broadcasting Network, as well as our own lines”- Don Honnicky AT&T Spokesperson, Rogers and Cowan INC News Release, 1985

A T-Shirt sold in 1985 to support Live-Aid that lists AT&T as a sponsor, Roots BK, 2018

Feat of Creation

Satellite

Television and Radio

Phone Network