Agence France Presse

Los Angeles

Pop star Justin Timberlake’s baring of Janet Jackson’s breast in front of nearly 100 million US viewers has become one of the most watched television moments in history, industry players said on Tuesday.

Outrage and shock surrounding the prime-time over-exposure of Michael Jackson’s sister has gripped America for two days since Timberlake, 23, ripped off 40-year-old Jackson’s bodice during the football Super Bowl on Sunday.

As all US television stations continued to run images of the incident — dubbed the "Nipplegate" scandal — digital video recording pioneer TiVo said the moment had already become the most watched in its history.

"The close of Timberlake and Jackson’s half time duet drew the biggest spike in audience reaction TiVo has ever measured, the company, that was formed in 1997, said in a statement.

The company said viewership spiked up to 180 per cent as television audiences at home used paused and replayed the incident, which prompted the launch of a federal investigation by the US media watchdog, over and over again.

Jackson has apologised for her conduct, saying the stunt had been planned at the last minute without the knowledge of producers, MTV, or CBS television which broadcast the show live, but that it had gone too far.

"The decision to have a costume reveal at the end of my half-time show performance was made after final rehearsals," Jackson said in a statement received by AFP. "MTV was completely unaware of it. It was not my intention that it go as far as it did. I apologise to anyone offended, including the audience, MTV, CBS, and the NFL (National Football League)."

Her spokesman said the incident was caused by a "wardrobe malfunction" and that the red lace bra was supposed to have remained intact when Timberlake ripped off the top of her leather outfit, exposing her right breast.

Jackson and Timberlake will be allowed to appear at next week’s Grammy Awards despite her televised flash, but the broadcast will be delayed to weed out any more surprises, officials said on Tuesday.