Over 80 million people watched 'Hope for Haiti Now'

Nielsen has spoken. Over 80 million people tuned in for last week's star-studded "Hope for Haiti Now" telethon.

Let's say that again. Over 80 million. The Oscars would kill for those numbers. They only pulled in 36 million in 2009. Maybe they should try a fundraiser on March 7. The stars will be there. And no doubt Haiti will still need the help.

Nielsen Media estimates 83 million people saw at least part of the fundraiser carried Friday on 33 TV networks. The audience watching the two-hour event averaged 24 million viewers at any given time.

Organizers for the telethon said it raised $57 million, with more donations still coming in and being counted due to money from iTunes downloads.

The event, which also streamed live online, featured Brad Pitt, Beyonce, Robert Pattinson, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and countless stars who encouraged donations and answered phones for Haiti, hit by a devastating earthquake on Jan. 12 that killed an estimated 200,000 people.