Michael Jackson’s global audience remains

Michael Jackson’s image on international TV news, July 1, 2011 – May 31, 2014

New York, June 27, 2014. Five years after his death and despite negativity around controversies from during his life, Michael Jackson retains access to a global media audience, according to new research from Media Tenor International.

In the wake of Jackson’s virtual performance at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards, recent coverage in consumer and industry print publications highlights significant respect for and interest in Jackson’s legacy as a performer. This has included coverage related to the performance, created by Pulse Entertainment, in USA Today and Forbes.

“I certainly believe we will see virtual musicians touring the world in the near future,” says Frank Patterson, CEO of Pulse Entertainment in the Forbes article.

In USA Today, John Textor, Pulse Entertainment’s chairman, highlighted the emotional response Jackson continues to elicit. "When the people who knew Michael best started crying at the show, we knew we'd done something," Textor says. "Then we started crying."

“Right now, there is a strong focus on the release of Jackson’s new album, and his ability to still be present on the stage thanks to the virtual performance at the Billboard Music Awards,” says Racheline Maltese, a researcher at Media Tenor.  “When we look at the data over a longer term other issues also have an impact on his legacy.  These include financial troubles he was facing and the accusations of child abuse. While the news media often frames these things as footnotes in larger stories about remembering Jackson and his importance to the music industry and culture, they are repeated often enough that they gain traction.”

This research examined all 276,509 reports on international TV news from July 1, 2011 to May 31, 2014. Additionally 4,078 statements from leading consumer and industry print media were looked at for the period of May 1 – June 20, 2014.

For over 20 years Media Tenor’s mission has been to contribute to objective, diverse and newsworthy media content by bringing together the diverse parties. Media Tenor’s global research projects include analyses of election campaigns, investor relations, public diplomacy, corporate communications and other topics critical to news makers and news audiences.

For more information, please contact Racheline Maltese at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 212-935-0210.