‘Shelter’ concert not a big draw

While Americans are donating generously to Hurricane Katrina relief funds, they’re apparently running out of patience for stars telling them to give.

Friday’s benefit, “Shelter From the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast,” was seen by fewer than 24 million viewers despite being shown on 29 networks.

That’s less than one third of the 89 million people who watched its model, the somber “America: A Tribute to Heroes,” which ran shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to Nielsen Media Research.

A competing benefit at the same time on BET drew 1.2 million viewers, Nielsen said.

ABC took advantage of the start of National Football League season and some attractive college football matchups to win the weekly ratings race, averaging 8.3 million viewers in prime time (5.4 rating, 9 share). CBS had 7.5 million viewers (5.1, 8), Fox 7.4 million (4.7, 8), NBC 6.3 million (4.4, 7), and the WB and UPN both 2.2 million (1.5, 2).