Concert for Ukraine hosted at Resorts World Arena nominated for two BAFTA Awards
24 March 2023Almost a year on, Concert for Ukraine has been nominated in the BAFTA TV Awards ‘Live Event’ category alongside coverage of The State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II and Platinum Jubilee: Party at the Palace. It is also shortlisted in the BAFTA TV Craft Awards ‘Entertainment Craft Team’ category.
Hosted at Resorts World Arena on the 29th March 2022, the two-hour live spectacular raised over £13.4 million in funds for the DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
The show saw Camila Cabello, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sandé, Gregory Porter and Snow Patrol perform live on ITV.
ITV, STV, Livewire Pictures, the NEC Group and its suppliers joined forces with the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) and the Media & Entertainment group Global to bring together names from the world of music for a unique event spreading a message of hope and support, and most importantly, raise funds for the ongoing DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.
Guy Dunstan, NEC Group’s Managing Director of Ticketing and Arenas, said: “We’re delighted to hear Concert for Ukraine has been nominated for two BAFTA Awards. The way all our teams from across the live events and entertainment industries came together to create such a spectacular show in just a few weeks was incredible to see.
“As a live events business, we knew we had the power to unite millions of people and make a difference. It was important for us to host such an impactful show and donate one of our leading entertainment venues, our services, and all the profits generated on the evening of the show to the DEC Appeal.
“We’re really proud to have played our part in raising a brilliant amount of money for such a worthy cause.”
Guy Freeman, Managing Director Livewire Pictures, added: “What we were all able to accomplish in such a short space of time was truly remarkable.
“The coming-together of people and companies that all felt the need to do something to help others in dire need, generated a very special atmosphere at the event.”
It was only 19 days before the broadcast date that Resorts World Arena in Birmingham was contracted following a call between Livewire Pictures and the NEC Group Arenas team (an impressive feat given it usually takes 12 to 18 months to prepare for a show). More than 8,000 people attended the concert with a peak of 3.6 million people at home tuning into the live broadcast. It was the most watched programme of the day for 16-34 year olds.
The BAFTA Television Awards, hosted by Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan, take place on Sunday 14 May.