Michael Jackson's Thriller was offered for free in SD format over Live in the last weekend, and despite this limited offer report that some 50,000 copies were downloaded.

Despite being a US only offering, this represents a very sizable number, given the video was only offered free for 48 hours.

Elsewhere, Jackson's albums and singles have shot to the top of download charts, services such as iTunes reporting epic - dwarfing new releases in many cases.

Michael Jackson died last week while rehearsing for a 50-date comeback residency in London.

By Luke Guttridge