A study released on Wednesday found that the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack was by far the most memorable TV moment among U.S. viewers during the past 50 years.

Sony Electronics and the Nielsen television research company collaborated on the survey among 1,077 consumers in February about events they had watched, if they remember where they were and if they discussed the events with others.

The survey found that the second most memorable moment was the coverage of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, to be followed by the OJ Simpson murder verdict in 1995, Challenger Space Shuttle disaster in 1986 and the Death of Osama bin Laden in 2011.

"What's interesting for me is not what's on the list, but what' s not on the list," Brian Siegel, vice president of television for Sony Electronics, told media. "There wasn't entertainment - no Super Bowl, no 'Friends' finale. It was all news and events .. Memories that are ubiquitous among all of us."

The survey concluded that news-oriented items that crossed generations proved to be the most influential TV experiences, and stories of a communal nature or with widespread relevance also resonated with viewers.