Networks to offer live Jackson memorial coverage
Jul 5th, 2009 by Bilal Ali
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The memorial for Michael Jackson may be a tough ticket live, but it shouldn’t be hard to find it on television.
ABC, CNN, MSNBC and E! Entertainment are among the networks that have already announced plans to offer live coverage of the Tuesday memorial, set for 10 a.m. PDT in Los Angeles’ Staples Center.ABC is sending anchor Charles Gibson to Los Angeles for the story, setting aside its typical daytime programming. CBS anchor Katie Couric will also be at the Staples Center, although the network has not yet said whether it was offering live coverage of the memorial.
NBC is not planning live coverage, but will wrap up highlights in a one-hour prime-time special Tuesday night.
CNN has seen its ratings soar with the Jackson story, and it will show the memorial on the main network and HLN (formerly Headline News). CNN International will air the ceremony to the rest of the world. Anderson Cooper, Larry King and Don Lemon are the anchors for CNN coverage. Robin Meade, A.J. Hammer and Jane Velez-Mitchell will anchor at HLN. CNN en Espanol will also cover it.
Chris Jansing will anchor live coverage of the memorial on MSNBC. Fox News Channel hasn’t announced its plans.
E! Entertainment will cover the ceremony on its television network and its Web site.