Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' will air on MTV Networks in 2011

Michael Jackson's "This Is It" documentary is coming soon to a TV near you -- if you have basic cable.

But you're going to have wait a little while. MTV has acquired the rights to air the film in 2011, a deal that includes all of the domestic channels under MTV Networks, including VH1, VH1 Classic and Palladia. The arrangement also extends to Viacom's  BET Networks, according to a press release issued by MTV today.

"This Is It" premiered on movie screens around the country on Oct. 28, showcasing Jackson's talent and songbook while offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the performer as he developed and rehearsed for the sold-out comeback tour that was to open just a week after Jackson died.

Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing, the film has reached $222.6 million in box office receipts worldwide.

Related:

Movie footage shows Michael Jackson like you've never seen him

Recalling Michael Jackson's final steps

Michael Jackson's last big hit

"This Is It" is a personal thriller for commercial director

--Maria Elena Fernandez

Photo: Director Kenny Ortega, co-producer Frank DiLeo, and producer Randy Phillips arrive at the premiere of  "This Is It" at Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles;  Credit: Los Angeles Times/Barbara Davidson

Comments

[DeborahFfrench]

The film is truly incredible. But let us not forget the reasons why this film has come to be released in the first place. Michael's early death was not a given. Only the most imperceptive would deny that the slow drip of the anaesthetic that killed him was - in reality, just a formality. What killed Michael, was the sustained trauma of being put through a baseless, protracted trial that should never have reached court, knowing that if found guilty he would be removed from his children's lives. And even after acquittal, facing the relentless villification by the media, who - post 2005, decided to simply disregard a verdict they found economically inconvienient.

In years to come, perhaps reasons will emerge from the rubble as to why a supernovic talent with a history of unparalleled giving and a persona of complex innocence was systematically and wilfully humiliated, tortured and stripped of his dignity and spirit for a period of over 15 years on the basis of such astonishingly non-credible accusations – and more importantly, why this was actively encouraged. These days everybody has an opinion about Michael Jackson - myself included, but it cannot be denied that when one looks behind the hysteria induced by Diane Dimond, Maureen Orth, Nacy Grace, The Smoking Gun and countless others who put career and copy before a human life; you end up with more of a collection of compelling questions than answers, and a more than seriously uneasy feeling of something being not quite ‘right' about the sheer level of engineered cruelty involved.

One day Michael's children will be confronted with the horrific and painful realities of the circumstances that drove their father to need to medicate himself in order to sleep. They will ask the questions their family are already dreading. They will ask why their father died and what led him there. They will ask what their father did that made an entire country not only turn their back on him, but effectively take away his rights as a human being in the process. His children will deserve to know the answers to these questions. I believe those answers should amount to more than the ratings-driven sensationalism and biased editorial that the media have force-fed the American people with for so long.

Before letting the media make up your mind about Michael Jackson: I ask people to look for themselves into the facts of the 2005 trial, read the actual transcripts not just the selected quotes from Smoking Gun, read about the accusers parents and their history of alleging abuse to extract money, also read Aphrodite Jones's book 'The Michael Jackson Conspiracy'; - then recall for a moment, the relentless, rotated barrage of numbing distortion and inflated hearsay that saturated the networks, papers and on-line sites for months - and indeed the last 20 years of Michael's life; and ask yourselves this? Are you convinced you know the truth? Because if you aren't, that makes what was done to Michael Jackson - nothing short of inhumane.

In time, Michael will be vindicated, but until then, I invite all of us now to stop buying into the thought that we are powerless – and instead, do something very powerful. An intention has been put into effect. And everyone who wants to, is being asked to - ‘Hold The Vision’ of this intention:

‘That the truth of Michael’s integrity and the innocence of his intentions and relationships with children will be unequivocally known and understood by all on this planet – in our lifetime.’

Certainly, Michael was flawed - aren't we all, but he was no harmer of children. He championed the rights and welfare of children and used his money to help practically for years, before that love was used as a weapon against him. Whenever or wherever you think of Michael, re-affirm this global intention in your mind and in your heart. If the millions of us who love Michael can commit to doing this daily - we will do more to affect change than we could ever imagine.

Go to: http://majorloveprayer.blogspot.com

On the 25th November a global prayer, affirmation, call it what you will - will sweep the planet. The prayer will be for healing for this planet and for Michael. I ask all of us to add the intention above into this prayer and join with the millions around the world who loved Michael and want to continue the work of his message of loving change. The prayer is happening at 14:00 Los Angeles time, and on the site there is a time coverter so that all those in different time zones or different countries can sync up.

Hold the vision.

The truth is coming.

[starc]

MTV are stupid. BY 2011 we will tell them to go to blazes. Are they not the same people who very much refused to give Michael airplay until he was forced to go on a tour he did want to. What if MTV had given him good slots. They are liars. Now they are Michaels friends. What if MTV had given Michael slots and I mean serious slots over the last decade insteasd of the nonsesical artists that were having on their slots.

[MJFAN]

If I have to wait that long, I'm buying it when it comes out earlier on DVD best movie I've seen this year!!!

[Mjfan]

Deborah, I cried when I read the end of you comment. I defended Michael when he was on trial and have always been sure of his innocence. When he died and in my prayers I promise Michael I will continue to do all I can to prove his innocence and get people motivated to look for the truth. With the facts people will know. We can't bring Michael back, but we can help his children and family and the fans and people around the world that love him to heal and be in a better place. This will happen! My heart is happy knowing there are others who believe in Michael's innocence as I do and will fight for Michael until things a right! I will be praying with you on the 25th.."

[Diana]

Wow...2011 is quite a bit away, lol.
This Is It is an absolutely incredible film though. I hope they consider airing it commercial-free on television.

On an unrelated note, I want to thank the author of this article for not calling him 'Jacko.' I absolutely despise the media and news outlets that call him by such a disgusting and disrespectful nickname. He hated being called that. So thank you for having enough class not to use it because I just read an article that just repeatedly called him by that name. Thanks for showing some respect.

[Terrell]

LOL wow by 2011 that's a time it will be on DVD by the of 2009 or early 2010.that is the dumbest.

[Are we in the U.S.?]

I love you, DeborahFfrench.

What happened to MJ in the past 20 years kind of reflected, in the most sinister way, everyone of the following:

Spanish inquisition, ethnic cleansing, systematic persecution against and termination of"enemies of the regime" in former communist countries ...