Michael Jackson death sends news sites’ traffic through the roof as Today show reports Jeff Goldblum hoax
Australian news sites experienced a mammoth spike in traffic today following the death of Michael Jackson.
NineMSN told Mumbrella the news site had seen a 373 per cent increase in hourly unique browsers from 8am compared to the same time yesterday.
In a fortunate piece of timing for the site, it began trialling a live stream of the Today show this week. Nine extended the programme’s broadcast beyond its usual 9am finish through to noon.
However, the show did stumble, with entertainment editor Richard Wilkins incorrectly reporting the death of American actor Jeff Goldblum in New Zealand after a fake story was published online. He told viewers: “New Zealand police are saying this is a correct story.”
At News.com.au, by 11am the site had already received twice its normal daily traffic of around 630,000 visitors and was predicting at least 1.2 million visitors by the end of the day.
The average unique browsers to Fairfax’s Sydney Morning Herald website increased by 30 per cent in the three hours from 7am this morning, The Age site saw a 48 per cent jump and Brisbane Times received a whopping 2,000 per cent increase, albeit of a much lower base.
TechCrunch in the US reported several websites such as Twitter and Tmz.com went down due to an inundation of traffic.
Meanwhile, Seven’s The Morning Show binned its planned content to cover the deaths of Jackson and actress Farrah Fawcett instead. A two-hour special from NBC in the US aired following The Morning Show. “Everything has been abandoned to make the most of the two stories,” a spokesman said.
In Melbourne, the Herald Sun has produced a lunchtime edition.
Nine ran a Nine News special from 4.00pm, will be extending its 6pm bulletin and running a spcial edition of A Current Affair at 7pm.It will also dedicate part of Sunday night’s edition of 60 Minutes to the singer’s life and death.
And on Monday, Seven will air a newly-completed documentary created by the British TV company ITV which had been in preparation for Jackson’s planned tour.
I am shocked and frankly still in denial. it seemed that michael was so ‘invincible,’ and it is such a shame that such talent could decease in an instant. This to me just seems as though the sky is missing one of it’s brightest stars…that has shone the minute he held a mic. I am still trying to absorb this …and i could only pray that he would be by God’s side…..my tears go out to him and his family. may his soul rest in peace.
his music will live on and his name will definitely be remembered.
we love you M.J
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This guy was a true talent. But unfortunately, for the past decade or two, he was a train crashing waiting to happen. Unfortunately, that crash has happened.
He will be remembered for not only his music and dance, but also for some real odd-ball actions……….Ron R
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Its pretty suspicious that a slim 50yo old man dies of a cardiac arrest. He may have had hereditary hypercholesterolaemia, but it could also have been related to his reported prescription drug addiction. That will keep speculators speculatin’ and hold the online news site numbers high.
Then again, Jacko could have faked his death as part of a conspiracy with President Ahmadinejad to distract Twitterers from the Tehran demonstrations…
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People can say what they like about him but no one can deny that he was a genius with all the kick-ass music he created. He’ll be missed.
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Michael’s not dead.
He was just in the Hospital’s Children’s Ward… having a stroke.
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Adam
rofl
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l love micheal jackson may his soul rest in peace l wish he live longer
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R.I.P. MJ
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seriously enough with the kid jokes.
let the guy rest in peace, he copped it enough while he was alive.
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Give us a break. He “copped it” because of his own actions.
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overheard at the pearly gates… OOOO Cherubs
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i will miss his dance…such a perfectionist…always brings magic to everything…
loads of prayers.. may you rest in peace… luv u M,J.
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