Mary J. Blige and HBO join NBC's benefit concert for Superstorm Sandy victims

WATCH LIVE VIDEO OF THE BENEFIT CONCERT WHEN IT BEGINS AT 8 P.M. BY CLICKING HERE

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NEW YORK (AP) -- Mary J. Blige and HBO are joining NBC and its benefit concert Friday for Superstorm Sandy victims.

   The telethon is scheduled to air at 8 p.m. Eastern and Western times, with Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Billy Joel, Sting and others performing to benefit the American Red Cross and its disaster relief efforts.

   Blige was a late addition to the guest list. Actor James Gandolfini and comic Jon Stewart, who are both heavily identified with New Jersey, will also participate. The brunt of the storm hit New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area.

   NBC and its cable affiliates, including E!, USA, CNBC and MSNBC, are all airing it. HBO, Discovery Fit & Health and Velocity have also signed on.