Tuesday, June 30, 2009

TheTVObserver: Michael Jackson


One of the world’s greatest superstars has passed-away. But what got our attention was the amount of coverage his death has received, which seems to be trumping everything else on air. This should be expected because this is, one of the world’s greatest stars after all. But what is the intent of the coverage?

To honor him, mourn him or cash-in on his death? We observed most of the broadcasts and realized that for most of them, it boils down to money, traffic and ratings. Very few actually provide such special tributes to honor the superstar.

After the announcement of his comeback, he started to rehearse for what was expected to be an exciting musical treat for fans. Ticket sales only proved how much he was loved and how his STAR remained on top. Organizers are now planning a tribute concert to fill the planned tour.

Coverage of the star is most likely to last for weeks or months and these are some of the networks and their coverage, days after the announcement, they include:
  • Access Hollywood – the program put together an episode completely around Jackson
  • ET – also provided its viewers a dose of MJ
  • CNN – special broadcasts secured a rare prime-time ratings victory, averaging 3.9 million viewers
  • Fox – snapped 2.9 million in ratings
  • MSNBC – came in at 1.5 million
  • CBS News – aired a 10.pm special which drew 7.5 million
  • ABC News – aired a 9 o'clock "20/20" segment which drew 5.7 million
  • Dateline - attracted 5.6 million from 9-11 p.m. for coverage of the deaths of both Jackson and Fawcett.
  • MTV – aired wall-to-wall Michael Jackson music videos, concert performances and a new hour-long special, "A Celebration of Michael Jackson on MTV."
  • MTV2, VH1 and VH1 Classic - ran Jackson-themed programming all weekend.
  • TV Land – aired a 1992 miniseries "The Jacksons: An American Dream"
  • E! – aired the singer's "True Hollywood Story"
The most watched of the broadcast news specials was ABC's 10 p.m. "20/20" devoted to Fawcett which drew in 8.2 million).
The announcement of the stars death saw broadcasters around the world provide coverage, as it turned out to be the most reported news. Online media went crazy leading to the shock with search results on one Michael Jackson giving users results of a 2007 death, but later explained as another MJ, not the superstar.

Then we have the bad side of reporting. In a post titled “Perez Hilton’s Despicable Michael Jackson Coverage Creates Backlash “ Pete Cashmore wrote “One blogger doing unprecedented damage to the social media cause (and in fact undermining the credibility of all bloggers) is Perez Hilton: upon learning of Michael Jackson’s hospital admission, he posted the following, shockingly offensive piece, alleging that Michael was “lying” or “making himself sick”. The post has now been updated on his site to temper this gross insensitivity, but we fear the damage to the blogging community has already been done.”. Peter writes for MASHABLE.
Riva Richmond, The New York Times, wrote an article titled: "Jackson’s Death Exploited by Spammers". In that article the following got us thinking even furthure about level people would go to exploit others. It reads: "It took only eight hours for spammers and cybercriminals to launch spam attacks that exploited interest in the pop idol’s untimely death. Security firm Sophos spotted the first spam messages, which claimed to have vital information about Mr. Jackson and asking for a reply. "

And.... "Websense isolated a spam e-mail mimicking a news report about Mr. Jackson’s death and displaying what appeared to be a link to YouTube that actually sent visitors to a compromised Web site. There, Windows PCs would be infected with a Trojan Horse designed to steal information."

We intend to observe more of this story as in begins to become the property of speculation and rumour, with the mainstream media and social media working very hard to take liberties with facts in order to generate traffic and audiences, in a move to cash on Michael Jackson’s death.

This is the final curtain call for one of the biggest stars to have ever graced this world. It is sad, but we rest assured in the recordings he made, which will continue to be an inspiration for consumers and musicians, alike. Everyone can copy him, wish to be him, hate him, love him...but "NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY HIS TALENT". His family and children inherit a rich history, from a very talented son, brother and father.

By TheTVObserver
@ 2009 © TheTVObserver. All Rights Reserved
Pictures used on TheTVObserver graphics and information sourced from third parties are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved

2 comments:

Green.arrow said...

The final curtain call indeed as he had sad...unfortunately it wasnt the curtain call he had in mind.

The truth is, i was not an avid fan, as i am not with most musicians, but in the past couple of days i have become a fan...big time. I will be going to get his music collection soon. I have been exhausting my pc with youtube and the likes watching his music, interviews etc...and i am blown away. I am more hung up about his passing than anyone i know...even people who have been fans since forever.

I'm also watching, but not with much interest, because if there is anything that i have leant in the past days (as i was on an MJ expedition),is that the media is largely responsible for the misinformation about MJ and other public figures...i have lost faith.

TheTVObserver said...

Its kinder sad thou, hey. It actually become true. The "Final MJ Curtain Call". We have more questions than answers about MJ, but the media cannot even begin to answer, because like most people they are looking to cash in on MJ, in any way possible.

The DUDE had it! He was blessed with the power to shock fans into complete worldwide obsession. Who has that these days?...Also the cost of the power he had, can only be assessed against the effects on his personal life.

He was a TRUE WORLDWIDE STAR! R.I.P MJ