POPCULTURE

July 8, 2009–Michael Jackson's memorial service in Los Angeles yesterday captivated TV audiences all over the world, with millions tuning in at home and at public viewing events in major cities.

In Germany, some 20 million viewers followed the memorial on a number of channels, although the biggest winners were two small news outlets that devoted much of the day's programming to Jackson's death and legacy.   ProSiebenSat.1's N24 scored the highest ratings in its history with its all-day reports and extended primetime coverage.

The live broadcasts beginning at 7 p.m. local time drew the biggest audiences, with 3.84 million tuning in to pubcaster ARD, giving it a 15.6% share, and fellow pubcaster ZDF's special report “Farewell to the King of Pop” attracting 3.31 million (12%).

But it was ProSiebenSat.1 and RTL's respective news channels, N24 and N-TV, that saw the biggest above-average rating jumps, with N24 achieving an all-day share of 5.1% — its highest daily average ever. N24 was close behind with 4.9%. Both channels usually have a share of just over 1%. N-TV's four-hour primetime coverage beginning at 6 p.m. attracted 1.31 million viewers and a 5.2% share, while N24 drew 1.29 million with its live broadcast, achieving a 4.8% share for its special report.

In Berlin, some 6,000 fans attended a free public viewing of the service at the city's new O2 Arena, while in Cologne, Frankfurt and other cities, crowds amassed in multiplexes, bars and city squares to watch the event.

U.K.

In the U.K., more than 6 million viewers watched the service. BBC2, which cleared its early evening schedule for the tribute, averaged 4 million viewers and a 19% share between 6-8.45 p.m., peaking at 5.2 million for the final 15 minutes, according to overnight figures.   BBC2's coverage was the most watched program on any U.K. web between 8-8.45 p.m.

Sky News achieved some of its highest viewing figures since the U.S.- led invasion of Iraq began in March 2003. Its average audience was 897,000, peaking at 1.16 million in the quarter hour from 8.15 p.m.

Italy

In Italy, the memorial scored a stellar 15.7% audience share on Mediaset's youth-oriented Italia 1 channel, accounting for some 15 million viewers.  Studio commentators during the ceremony included French-Tunisian entrepreneur Tarak Ben Ammar, Jackson's former manager, who lashed out against his doctors and against those who, as he put it, “smeared” Jackson with accusations of pedophilia.

Spain

Spanish channel Cuatro scored an 11.7% share and 1.1 million viewers with its special show “Michael Jackson: homenaje al rey del pop.”

The coverage boosted Cuatro's share by five points above its average in that timeslot and gave the Sogecable web its best audience figures for a non-sports programming result since it launched in 2005.

France

In France, the memorial aired live on TF1, France 2 and M6, nabbing a total of 51.2% of audience share. TF1 led the ratings with 26.8%, followed by France 2 with 15.4% and M6 with 9.6%.