http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/07/11/20-tv-moments-that-had-biggest-impact-on-americans/?intcmp=obnetwork


The 20 TV moments that had the biggest impact on Americans

By Hollie McKay

Pop Tarts

Published July 11, 2012

FoxNews.com



There’s nothing more American than gathering around a 55-inch plasma HDTV.

On Wednesday Sony Electronics, in conjunction with media research powerhouse Nielsen Research, unveiled the results of a survey which identified the top 20 television moments in collective American TV consciousness.

The most impactful television moment was the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, followed by the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the OJ Simpson verdict in 1995, the Challenger space shuttle disaster in 1986, and the death of Osama Bin Laden last year.

But while terrorism, war, death and disaster topped the list, happier, lighter stories such as the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton also found their way into the Top 20 too.

There were also some surprises.

The funerals for Princess Diana and JFK, as well as the sudden death of Whitney Houston, made the cut, yet the highly-publicized passing of Michael Jackson (or any other key entertainment industry figure) did not. For Paul Lindstrom, Senior Vice President of Custom Research at Nielsen, the biggest surprise was the inclusion of the Casey Anthony murder trial verdict at the number twenty spot.

“Casey Anthony seems like a more fleeting sensational moment. I think it speaks to both the recency of the event, so that virtually all of the measured population had the opportunity to see it, and the ability of the news media to focus the country at a single moment in time,” he explained.

Brian Siegel, Vice President of Television at Sony Electronics was shocked that the lunar landing in 1969 didn’t make it.

“Although I was surprised some older moments didn’t rise to the top, it’s interesting to see which moments did bring people together across generations,” he continued. “I can think of each of these top moments and imagine families and friends sitting in front of the television, experiencing them together.”

The study took into account three important elements – the number of people who viewed the event live as it was happening, the number of people who knew exactly where and with whom they were with when they viewed it, and the number of people who discussed the event with others. The survey also found that highly-recalled moments among women included the 2011 Royal Wedding and the final episode of “Friends” in 2004, whereas American sports and military victories ranked the highest among male audiences.

And despite the emergence of the Internet and the notion that these days, everyone turns to Twitter, YouTube and their Smart Phone browser for the news and entertainment, Lindstrom says the television – however simple or smartly-designed it may be – is here to stay.

“The proliferation of devices for viewing video has given consumers tremendous opportunity for choice in what they view and when. However, these devices are really for personal viewing,” he added. “What we heard from consumers about their most significant memories about television tended to fall in the area of shared viewing. It was ‘sitting on my grandfather’s knee,’ or ‘watching baseball with my father,’ or shows that were watched as a family as a way of connecting between parents and children.”

The Top 20

1. September 11th tragedy (2001)

2. Hurricane Katrina – the levees break (2005)

3. The OJ Simpson verdict (1995)

4. The Challenger space shuttle disaster (1986)

5. Death of Osama Bin Laden (2011)

6. The white Bronco high-speed chase (1994)

7. The Earthquake in Japan (2011)

8. Columbine school shooting (1999)

9. Oil spill in the Gulf (2010)

10. Princess Diana’s funeral (1997)

11. News coverage of the death of Whitney Houston (2012)

12. Capture and execution of Saddam Hussein (2006)

13. Barack Obama acceptance speech (2008)

14. Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton (2011)

15. Assassination of JFK (1963)

16. Oklahoma City bombing (1995)

17. Bush/Gore election debacle (2000)

18. Los Angeles riots, Rodney King beating (1992)

19. The Casey Anthony murder trial verdict (2011)

20. The funeral of JFK (1963)

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/07/11/20-tv-moments-that-had-biggest-impact-on-americans/?intcmp=obnetwork#ixzz20bjRP4Iy

About half of them I wouldn't have put on the list. I think Michael Jackson's death was covered a lot more than Whitney's.

9/11 would be on top for sure!

The entire nation was transfixed!

I tried to remember where I was when each of those events was going on, and I was pretty successful.

Obama's acceptance speech ahead of the assassination of JFK and the trial of Casey Anthony ahead of JFK's funeral? :confused:

The OKC bombing should be higher on the list.

It was the first 9/11 in a way.

I can't see why Michael Jackson or Whitney Houston death would make the list. Two celebrities who die of drug problems. Some of the people on the list were so unexpected, JFK and Princess Diana

If we had the 24 hour news channels at the time, Elvis' death probably would have been up there.

If we had the 24 hour news channels at the time, Elvis' death probably would have been up there.

They broke into the Chicago Cubs' ball game that afternoon on WGN to announce it. I was really shocked; by that time, Elvis wasn't really in the forefront of everyone's minds, but he was still Elvis and everyone knew who he was and that he was very young.

And HOW on EARTH is the 1969 Apollo moonwalk not on the list??

They broke into the Chicago Cubs' ball game that afternoon on WGN to announce it. I was really shocked; by that time, Elvis wasn't really in the forefront of everyone's minds, but he was still Elvis and everyone knew who he was and that he was very young.

And HOW on EARTH is the 1969 Apollo moonwalk not on the list??
I remember I was playing on the floor and the tv was on. The national news came on and it was the top story. My parents were at my neighbors house and I ran over and told them. They might have broke into the regular programing on the networks but I didn't see it. I know afterwards it was all Elvis. I remember they aired his last concert on tv and a couple years later Kurt Russell starred in that tv movie of him.

It looks like most of that list is during the era of cable tv. The only one up there that isn't pertains to JFK. Heck, they should have Reagan's assassination attempt up there. That was huge. It was bigger than a lot of stuff on that list.

Everything on that list except JFK and the Challenger occured less than 20 years ago. Talk about short term memory. :crazy:

9/11 and the JFK assasination should be #1 and #2.

These should also be included on the list:

The Appolo Moonwalk

The terrorist attacks at the 1972 Munich Olympics

The standoff at Waco

The murder of Sharon Tate by the Manson family

The Jim Jones mass suicide

In my grandparents day, the
Senator Mccarthy hearings of the 1950's was event that people were glue to the tv news.

I suppose what generation you asked, the answers would be different. Yes you are right very few answers on the list are prior to 1990. If you had asked me Princess Diana I would have said for the 1990's time period. I still am shocked by her death for I felt she should have had more security but she didn't want it. I was amazed security wasn't enforced on her. She was the future kings mother.

When you think about it, its kind of sad actually that some of these moments happened within the last decade. Hard to believe. Obviously not talking about the death of Bin Laden which was a happy moment as justice was served.

Kate and William shouldnt be on there. Who cares if they got married or not. Hell, put Brad and Jen in there instead. At least the wedding was in America.

As far Obama's speech, that was a landmark moment although Im sure for some people, it was a sad moment.:D

9/11 would be on top for sure!

The entire nation was transfixed!

Yes indeed it was!!!!


19. The Casey Anthony murder trial verdict (2011)I think alot of people were quite pi$$ed when this verdict came out...... She got off with intentional murder!! (Her father cop help her hide the evidence) -- A disgrace!!

For events after 2012, I'd think that election night 2016 and 1/6/2021 would knock some of those off the list.

I was too young to remember, but I thought that one of the events involving President Nixon and Watergate would've registered. And what about the assassination attempts on President Reagan and Pope John Paul II? Plus the death of Princess Diana or her wedding to Prince Charles should've been higher than her funeral.

Thank you for your entries!!