U.S., International Nets Deliver MJ Memorial Coverage

LOS ANGELES: A host of broadcasters around the world, including the BBC, TF1, Nine Network, NHK and Star World, have joined the U.S. networks in delivering live coverage of the Michael Jackson memorial in Los Angeles today, which is likely to become one of the most-viewed televised events of all time.

Between live coverage on networks around the world and streams by web offerings such as Hulu. the memorial for the King of Pop could deliver up to a billion viewers, reports indicate.

In the U.S., ABC has lined up live coverage of the Staples Center event, anchored by Charles Gibson with Martin Bashir. Tonight, meanwhile, the network will broadcast a special edition of 20/20 with Diane Sawyer and Barbara Walters, reporting on highlights from the service. That will be followed by by Primetime: Family Secrets special reporting on the custody battle over Jackson’s children. 

CBS, too, is offering live coverage, which it will also feature extensively online on CBSNews.com, CBS.com, TV.com, TheInsider.com and across the CBS Audience Network. CBS Mobile will also offer live coverage on Verizon’s VCast TV, ATT TV via Media Flo and on Sprint TV via Mobi TV.

Brian Williams will anchor NBC’s coverage from the Staples Center this afternoon, to be followed by in the evening by Nightly News with Brian Williams live from Los Angeles. Plus, Dateline at 10 p.m. will carry recaps from today’s memorial and reactions from fans.

In the cable space, beyond the blanket coverage expected on the 24-hour news networks, a number of entertainment channels are slated to deliver MJ tributes. BET kicked off its coverage this morning with tribute shows and videos, leading into four hours of memorial coverage, which will be repeated in prime time tonight. E!, too, dedicated its entire lineup today to Jackson, beginning at 7 a.m. The lineup includes an updated E! True Hollywood Story and the E! Entertainment Special: Michael Jackson authorized documentary, as well as the memorial, which will be simulcast on EOnline.com.

MTV, MTV.com, VH1, VH1.com, VH1 Classic and VH1 Soul will all provide extended coverage of the service, live and commercial free. During the hour leading up to the live memorial service, MTV and VH1 will air an extensive selection of Jackson’s greatest videos, performances and in-depth interviews. Plus, on August 1, MTV’s 28th birthday, the network will call itself Michael Jackson TV for the day as it celebrates the icon’s music. 

Networks across the globe have also lined up extensive coverage. In the U.K., Five, Sky News, Sky Arts, Sky Arts HD, BBC Two and BBC News 24 are all delivering live coverage from the memorial. RTL will be delivering a live stream on its website, while TF1 will air the memorial with a presenter on site in L.A., followed by a 1992 Jackson concert filmed in Romania. Nine Network in Australia will feature coverage anchored by its TODAY cohost Karl Stefanovic in the studio, with weekend edition co-host Leila McKinnon reporting from Los Angeles. Other networks participating include NHK in Japan, the pan-Asian service STAR World, TV One in New Zealand and TVN in Chile, among many others.

More than 1.6 million fans registered online for one of 17,500 free tickets made available for today’s concert, but some 750,000 people are expected to descend on L.A. today to pay their respects.