AMERICAN IDOL - 31.1 MILLION (AND COUNTING) WATCH JACKSON TRIBUTE

31.1 MILLION (AND COUNTING) WATCH JACKSON TRIBUTE

For a memorial service, Michael Jackson's was one of the most-watched in history, with 31.1 million tuning in in the U.S. alone, according to Nielsen Media Research. But, as today's (Thursday) New York Times pointed out, it took 18 broadcast and cable channels to produce that number, whereas Fox's American Idol sometimes attracts that many on its own. The figure represented a 21 percent share of the total TV audience, significantly less than the 27 percent share (33.3 million viewers) recorded for Princess Diana's funeral in 1997 (which was carried by just eight channels). However, not included in the ratings figures were the millions of viewers who watched the service via the Internet. The memorial was also beamed to hundreds of theaters across the country. And Anschutz Entertainment Group made it available via satellite to TV broadcasters throughout the world. All three major U.S. networks devoted their 10 00 p.m. hour to Jackson specials, including footage from the memorial. ABC pulled in the most viewers -- 8.66 million -- with its Primetime special titled "Jackson Family Secrets," which focused on Debbie Rowe. An NBC Dateline special drew 6.3 million, while CBS's 48 Hours recorded 5.37 million. (Fox does not carry network programming in the 10 00 p.m. hour.)

09/07/2009