KHOU-TV and Clear Channel Raise $6.3 Million for Hurricane Victims

KHOU-TV and Clear Channel Raise $6.3 Million for Hurricane Victims

HOUSTON, Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- KHOU-TV Channel 11 and Houston area Clear Channel radio stations raised 6.3 million dollars for the American Red Cross Wednesday as part of "The Spirit of Texas Hurricane Relief Drive." A phone bank was set-up at the Channel 11 studios with volunteers on hand answering phones and accepting pledges throughout the day and night.

Houston Mayor Bill White helped kick-off the telethon with a live appearance on 11 News This Morning. Athletes, radio personalities and community leaders presented checks and encouraged pledges for victims of Hurricane Katrina throughout the day. Among large contributors to the campaign were Shell Oil Company, Chase Bank and the El Paso Corporation. The funds pledged will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

"The phone lines were lit up all day long," says Peter Diaz, KHOU-TV President and General Manager. "Houstonians are generous people who want to help. We are humbled by the generosity of our viewers and corporate partners. We felt it was important to help the American Red Cross with what they need most, cash. There will be drives of food, clothing and supplies of all kinds in the coming days, but we felt this was the best place to start."

Channel 11 and Houston area Clear Channel stations have also teamed up with Randall's grocery stores in a scan card program benefiting the American Red Cross through September 11.

KHOU-TV is part of Belo Corp., one of the nation's largest media companies with a diversified group of market-leading television, newspaper, cable and interactive media assets. A Fortune 1000 company with 7,600 employees and $1.5 billion in annual revenues, Belo operates in some of America's most dynamic markets in Texas, the Northwest, the Southwest, Rhode Island, and the Mid-Atlantic. Belo owns 19 television stations, six of which are in the 15 largest U.S. broadcast markets. The Company also owns or operates seven cable news channels and manages one television station through a local marketing agreement. Belo's daily newspapers are The Dallas Morning News, The Providence Journal, The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA) and the Denton Record-Chronicle (Denton, TX). The Company also publishes specialty publications targeting young adults, affluent populations and the fast-growing Hispanic market, including Quick and al dia in Dallas/Fort Worth, and the d, El D and La Prensa in Riverside. Belo operates more than 30 Web sites associated with its operating companies. Additional information is available at www.belo.com or by contacting Carey Hendrickson, vice president/Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, at 214-977-6626.

Source: KHOU-TV Channel 11

CONTACT: Wendy Burkeen, APR, +1-713-521-4312, or Amy Heinlein, +1-713-284-8761, both of KHOU-TV Channel 11

Web site: http://www.khou.com/ http://www.belo.com/

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