Jackson draws viewers to ’60 Minutes’

Embattled pop star Michael Jackson’s first television interview since his arrest on charges of child molestation and providing an intoxicant to a minor attracted more than 18 million viewers Sunday night, making CBS’ “60 Minutes” the No. 1 show of the night in total viewers, as well as in the ages 18-49 and 25-54 demographics that are of most interest to advertisers, according to preliminary ratings data.

The interview powered “60 Minutes” to an audience 12% higher than the news program’s season-to-date averages. Still, Sunday’s audience was nowhere near the 27 million-plus who tuned in for ABC’s “Living With Michael Jackson” special that aired in February.

Jonathan Taylor