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Many TV networks plan full coverage of Jackson memorial

The Associated Press

Luis Benguria of Spain, sits on Pedro Vicente's shoulders, also of Spain, as he signs a large poster at the Staples Center in Los Angeles , Sunday. The venue is the planned location for late pop star Michael Jackson's memorial service scheduled for Tuesday.

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By WALT BELCHER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 6, 2009

Updated: 07/06/2009 08:47 am

Michael Jackson's memorial service on Tuesday will be carried by NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC and E! beginning at 1 p.m. (EDT) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

BET, TV One and MTV also will offer coverage of the memorial service.

Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are among expected speakers, and Jennifer Hudson is a confirmed guest. Reportedly producers also are considering appearances by Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey and Alicia Keys.

In addition to the memorial service, the broadcast networks will have extensive coverage on their morning news programs: NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and CBS' "Early Show" will be in Los Angeles for the service.

NBC had initially planned only a one-hour prime-time special Tuesday night but decided on Saturday to cover the event live.

CNN also will show the memorial on HLN (formerly Headline News). CNN International will air the ceremony to the rest of the world.

Charles Gibson will anchor coverage for ABC, which is setting aside its typical daytime programming.
CBS anchor Katie Couric will be at the Staples Center to anchor the memorial coveragel. CBS also is planning a special "48 Hours" report on Jackson, anchored by Couric, at 10 p.m. Tuesday.

NBC announced today that Brian Williams will anchor its coverage.

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 also will cover the service.
Chris Jansing will anchor live coverage of the memorial on MSNBC.

Shepard Smith will anchor special live coverage of the Michael Jackson memorial beginning during the Noon hour on the Fox News Channel. Greta Van Susteren will be on-scene in Los Angeles providing live coverage updates throughout the day, and will anchor a special edition of "On The Record" at 10 p.m.

Megyn Kelly will anchor special live coverage of the Jackson memorial on the Fox (broadcast network) beginning at 1 p.m. It will be streamed on FOXNews.com.

E! Entertainment and TV Guide will cover the ceremony on their television networks and Web sites. TV Guide channel will rebroadcast the memorial at midnight without commercial interruption.

Los Angeles police confirmed that Jackson's family is planning a private ceremony at a Forest Lawn cemetery in the Hollywood Hills.

Jackson died at age 50 on June 25 after going into cardiac arrest in the bedroom of his rented mansion. The cause of death has not been determined.

The networks have seen their ratings climb with the Jackson coverage but a survey last week by the Pew Research Center for People and the Press found that the "public closely tracked the sudden death of pop superstar Michael Jackson last week, though nearly two in three Americans say news organizations gave too much coverage to the story."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654.

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