MTV is in serious talks to broadcast all or portions of the upcoming “Live 8” concert – which, until now, was going to be available only on the Internet. Although there is no deal yet, the plan is to air the July 2 mega-concert on MTV and sister station VH1.

AOL holds the North American rights to the concert after paying promoter Bob Geldof an undisclosed sum. It plans to broadcast the concert in its entirety on the Internet.

The Internet company is said to be reluctant to allow MTV to broadcast the concert in full. A chief concern is that viewers would choose to watch it on TV rather than AOL if the performances were shown at the same time.

A possible solution is to air various parts of the concert at different times on different platforms, said a knowledgeable source.

AOL and MTV officials declined to comment yesterday.

The free event will originate from London’s Hyde Park with satellite concerts in Philadelphia, Paris, Rome and Berlin. Tokyo, Ontario, Canada, and Johannesburg, South Africa, are also joining the global lineup, according to reports.

Madonna, Paul McCartney, U2, Coldplay and a reunited Pink Floyd are among stars playing in London, while in the U.S. performers include Bon Jovi, Dave Matthews Band, Destiny’s Child, Jay-Z, Linkin Park, Maroon 5, P. Diddy, Sarah McLachlan and Stevie Wonder. Will Smith will host in the U.S.

Geldof, who organized the original “Live Aid” concert in 1985, is doing it again to raise money for, and awareness of, African poverty. He hopes the event will pressure the world’s richest nations to contribute more money to the cause.