Michael Jackson Memorial Ratings: How Does It Compare To Other Major TV Events? (SLIDESHOW)

Michael Jackson's memorial service on Wednesday drew 31 million TV viewers in the US. Millions of others are expected to have streamed the service online.

But how does that compare to other major TV events over the years, like Princess Diana's funeral or the "MASH" finale? Take a look at the slideshow below and vote on just how "must-see TV" each of the events was for you:

Now Make Your Own Top 5 And Share with Your Friends

Michael Jackson's Memorial

1 of 7

HuffPost Community Top 5 Slides: « »

:

Become a fan

Vote and Share Choose Your Top 5 Not Newsworthy Must-See TV! Now Make Your Own Top 5 And Share with Your Friends RANK: AVERAGE:  OUT OF 10 31 million Americans watched Michael Jackson's memorial service Tuesday.

Recent HuffPost Users Who Voted on this Slide:

Current Top Five

Comments

[NotStarvingArtist]

I wonder how many people watched it because it was the only thing on TV all day. I didn't watch it, but every time I turned on the TV to see what was on, there was something about MJ. I was frustrated and disgusted.

[trendier]

I was not at all moved or interested in watching Ronald Reagan's funeral. Sorry but I just didn't care.

[MyGuyO]

Speaking of funerals only, I don't know about Michael Jackson's, but watching Lady Diana's funeral must have been right there on top.

[stagebandman]

Most TV "events" are not shown on virtually every single network and cable channel, internet and radio. A president's inaugural always has half the country ticked off. This was really the only event that people of all races and generations might be interested in.

I find it interesting that there is a question of who is to fund the funeral. How about all the TV stations that aired it ponying up some dough? This was a private affair, after all, not a state funeral.

And if any of the performers were paid for their performance, shame on them.

[Yalegirl03]

What about internet viewership?

[Nishaboston]

Michael Jackson had more views because you cannot forget people watching this on the internet, that does not even include world wide views

[nikky]

they will not tell the truth

[minty68]

Perhaps because I'm a woman, I was more moved by Princess Diana's funeral than Michael Jacksons. But the Inauguration trumps them both. Seriously, people!

[SimianNation]

That's 3 minutes I'll never get back....

[MKSinSA]

I don't understand the rankings here.

MASH (#4) had 106 million, Obama's Inauguration (#2) had 37 million, Reagan's funeral (#5) had 35 million and Princess Di's funeral (#3) had 33 million while Jackson's funeral (#1) had 31 million.

By what alternate metric is that ordered? 4, 2, 5, 3, 1?

[bigsexyshaq]

The Michael Jackson event was one of the most touching televised events I've seen in my life. It was a memorial service fit for a king, and it deserves to be on DVD, blu-ray, iTunes, everything. I'd buy several copies, as long as the money goes to the Jackson family.

[IssuesInFocus]

Understand the importance of ratings for the networks; but in the larger scheme of life and dying who thinks numbers? It all breaks down to love and interest. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6Z8x6C_uK4

[emilyringstrom]

What an undignified question...! It's not entertainment! It's life and death. Have some respect.

[HC4BO]

1983 - Where was the INTERNETS ... ?

BTW 1 quatrillion viewers just declared the Nielson Rating System to be Colloquial ...

[lemekid]

I believe there may be more people who watched the MJ memorial livestream on the internet because of the advances it has made than actually watching on TV. There are more sources to watch the memorial live now than just TV. Here in the South Pacific, I watched the memorial on the internet while my other family members watched it on TV.

[murly]

So Michal's memorial didn't get ratings as high as Princess Diana's funeral? Does that mean the networks are giving up their plan to pick it up as a series?

(For the record: I find comparisons between tragedies, and comparisons between tragedies and entertainment programs, to be a tasteless exercise.)

[RachelMc]

i thought michael's was higher not including the ppl who watched online and the reruns...

[bigsexyshaq]

The memorial service will find a permanent home on YouTube. SO many moments that can be watched over and over again.