Australian commercial television networks put aside traditional rivalries for the first time tonight to simultaneously broadcast a fundraising concert for victims of the Boxing Day tsunami.

Thousands of people gathered at the Sydney Opera House and millions were expected to watch the concert on television as celebrities manned telephones in Melbourne to accept donations for World Vision.

With ratings on hold, personalities from the three major networks, including Nine's Ray Martin and Eddie Maguire, Ten's Rove McManus and Seven's Sunrise team, helped present the two and a half hour event.
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By around 7pm AEDT, Australians had donated $1.6 million through telephone and SMS pledges.

A 10-year-old boy donated his $40 Christmas gift, a New Years' party raised $800, an Australian Navy ship raised $195 and one couple asked guests at their wedding to give donations rather than gifts.

World Vision head Tim Costello said people around the world were saying Australia had set the benchmark for tsunami aid.

"For perhaps the first time in our history, Australia actually is so far out in front it's magnificent," he said.

Maybe Eurovision might like to do the same, hmm? Yes, that is a challenge.

World Vision said today the tally from last night's Reach Out to Asia event had reached $20,116,000 at 2am (AEDT) today. The money was pledged via phone, website and SMS.

However, the $20 million total is expected to climb, with phones remaining open today.

The pledges come on top of more than $120 million in private and corporate donations made to Australia's aid organisations.