entertainmentdissected

The late Michael Jackson’s music continues to be picked up in droves following the singer’s death almost two weeks ago. (picture courtesy of AP/ Michael A. Mariant)

Other entertainment news going on in the world, but post-death coverage of Michael Jackson’s life continues to dominate headlines.

Whether it be about his troubled personal life or his music, Jackson remains the top entertainment news story. His memorial service- aired on some 19 networks yesterday- likely will result in even bigger sales for his musical catalog. Not that it needed the boost- last week, his albums sold 800,000 units, up 90 percent from the prior week.

Jackson’s Number Ones compilation sold 339,000 units, according to Nielsen SoundScan, up 215 percent from the prior week. The album ranks No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Comprehensive Albums chart, with Jackson’s Thriller at No. 2, selling 187,000 (up 86 percent). The 31st installment in the Now! That’s What I Call Music series debuts at No. 3 with 169,000, and, at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 (which does not chart catalog albums).

On the new Top Pop Catalog Albums chart, Jackson again dominates. Last week, there was just one non-Jackson-related title in the top 10, but this week, Jackson comprises the entire top 10. Following Number Ones and Thriller in the catalog top 10 are The Essential Michael Jackson (125,000), Off the Wall (51,000), Dangerous (26,000), Bad (23,000), Jackson 5’s Ultimate Collection (10,000), Jackson’s Ultimate Collection box set (10,000), Invincible (8,000) and Greatest Hits: HIStory- Vol. 1 (7,000). An additional three titles come in at Nos. 16, 21 and22.

While Jackson’s album sales saw a huge increase, sales of individual digital tracks (including Jackson 5 titles) dropped slightly, from 2.6 million to 2.2 million. “Man in the Mirror” jumped “Thriller” as his top seller, climbing to No. 2 on Hot Digital Songs.

Where will Jackson’s sales stand in one week’s time?  Can they go even higher, possibly to 1 million copies sold in a week?

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