SAN FRANCISCO – Facebook and MySpace said Monday that members of the rival social-networking services will be able to get online video views of the memorial for Michael Jackson.
Facebook users will be able to watch streaming video of the Tuesday memorial courtesy of an alliance with CNN Live, and MySpace members will get a similar opportunity thanks to collaboration with entertainment titan AEG.
“The memorial will be streamed real time, free, and people will be able to comment or link over to Michael Jackson’s profile,” said Sarah Joyce of MySpace Music. “We are picking up the stream and showing our support.”
MySpace Music also lets members of the News Corp-owned service listen to Jackson songs or view King of Pop music videos online free due to a partnership with Sony Music, according to Joyce.
A Michael Jackson page at Facebook has topped 6.5 million fans, making it the top “fan page” at the California-based social networking service.
Free virtual versions of Jackson’s famous glove are the most popular gift at Facebook, with more than 800,000 having been sent to members.
The same technology used to stream CNN coverage of US President Barack Obama’s inauguration — Facebook Connect — will be put to work letting people watch the Jackson memorial in CNN Live video players.
“Internet users across the globe can watch (the memorial) live while simultaneously updating their Facebook status and following their friends on Facebook — and other Jackson fans around the world,” Facebook said.
Singers Stevie Wonder and Mariah Carey are among a bevy of stars slated to appear at Jackson’s memorial service in Los Angeles, organisers said.
Soul legend Wonder and pop diva Carey were included on a provisional list of participants at Tuesday’s ceremony which will also include stars such as John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson and Usher.
Organisers say Tuesday’s 90-minute event will be a celebration of the life of Jackson, who died on June 25 at age 50 of an apparent cardiac arrest.
Courtesy of AFP/channelnewsasia.com
