Cable, internet combine to cover Michael Jackson death

July 9, 2009

The death of pop icon Michael Jackson created the most online buzz in internet history and coverage of Jackson's death and memorial service shows an increasing convergence of cable, internet video and web 2.0 sites.

News of his death on June 25 broke daily records, capturing nearly 8 percent of all conversations on the web, according to Neilsen Media Research. Jackson's July 7 public memorial drew 31.1 million TV viewers, ranking just behind President Reagan's burial and Princess Diana's memorial service as the most-watched funeral events.

Cable, internet and web 2.0 coverage converged during the Jackson memorial, with people watching broadcasts either on cable or internet feeds, all while responding to the events through web 2.0 social networks like Facebook and Twitter.

"While events like the Jackson memorial, or the Obama inauguration are unique, the way consumers are multitasking between media is quickly becoming the norm," said Charles Buchwalter of Nielsen Online.

Rather than having TV as the only option for witnessing events, consumers now have three screens, Buchwalter said - TV, the web and mobile devices.

A recent study in Europe underscores this trend, finding that 22 percent of all Europeans use TV and internet simultaneously.

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