By Laura French
SAN ANTONIO, Texas — AT&T’s FirstNet and iHeartMedia announced this week that they will be partnering and hosting “iHeartRadio’s First Responder Fridays with FirstNet, Built with AT&T,” a special four-week tribute series hosted by Ryan Seacrest, streamed live on iHeartRadio’s YouTube and broadcasted across more than 90 iHeartRadio stations nationwide, honoring first responders and medical professionals on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Supporting first responders is our mission, which is why we are working alongside public safety in delivering the nation’s only Congressionally mandated first responder network that’s there when those that serve us need it most,” said Jason Porter, senior vice president of the FirstNet Program at AT&T. “Through First Responder Fridays, we are honored to help celebrate and thank the men, women and their families on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic for the commitment they’ve made to all of us.”
“On Air with Ryan Seacrest” will kick off the series on April 17, which will run every Friday through May 8, broadcasting throughout the day on iHeartRadio stations and on the iHeartRadio app with #iHeartFirstResponders personal messages of thanks from listeners and paying tribute to first responders and health professionals.
Each day-long on-air tribute will culminate at 7 p.m. with a radio special program on iHeartRadio CHR stations nationwide and on YouTube featuring a musical artist performing a 30-minute set of their biggest hits, dedicating songs to first responders and their families and helping to raise money for organizations supporting those on the front lines. This Friday’s performance will feature Lewis Capaldi.
In honor and support of first responders and medical professionals, AT&T is committing $5.5 million to provide free meals through World Central Kitchen, Feeding America, Salvation Army and Team Rubicon. Through First Responder Fridays, iHeartMedia, AT&T and its FirstNet program hope to raise additional funds by encouraging listeners and viewers to support the four organizations. Listeners can text TOGETHER to 20222 to donate $10 to support the charities.
“There is no start or end time for those on the front lines,” said iHeartMedia Chief Programming Officer Tom Poleman. “While most of us are winding things down on Friday evenings, our everyday heroes are clocking their 20th hour on shift and sleeping in their cars for fear of getting their families sick. Our First Responder Fridays will allow us to pay tribute all day to our first responders, bringing together the biggest artists and our local communities to celebrate and raise money for those on the front lines.”