Q: WXIA reported that O.J. Simpson’s Bronco chase and his trial verdict were two of the top six viewed TV events. What are the other four?
—Kathy McDonough, Peachtree Corners
A: The chase involving Simpson and the white Ford Bronco, which took place on June 17, 1994, and his trial verdict are two of the most memorable, not viewed, events in TV history, according to a 2012 survey. The top 10 most memorable TV events, according to the survey, which was conducted by Nielson and Sony, and released in July 2012:
1. Sept. 11 tragedy (2001)
2. Hurricane Katrina (2005)
3. O.J. Simpson verdict (1995)
4. Challenger space shuttle disaster (1986)
5. Death of Osama bin Laden (2011)
6. O.J. Simpson white Bronco chase (1994)
7. Earthquake in Japan (2011)
8. Columbine High School shootings (1999)
9. BP oil spill (2010)
10. Princess Diana’s funeral (1997)
Each event was scored on a formula based on the number of people who watched the event, those who could recall details about where they were and who they were with, and who could remember discussing details about what happened. It was based on 1,077 completed surveys.
“You didn’t dare turn away,” Greta Van Susteren, a legal analyst for CNN’s trial coverage who is now a Fox News Channel host, told FoxNews.com. “Everybody was watching it, live, wondering if O.J. was going to blow his brains out. That’s when the hook was set for everything that followed.” Ninety-one percent of TVs in use were tuned to Simpson’s trial verdict on Oct. 3, 1995.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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