No Agreement on Michael’s TV Special

It seems that Sony has managed to secure the rights to show and distribute the films taken from Michael Jackson’s rehearsals on stage by outpacing its rivals, but apparently NBC has been unable to purchase the rights to a TV special that is said to feature many stars. Earlier, it was reported that AEG planned to produce and air a special about Michael Jackson and the This Is It concerts by signing a contract with one of the major TV networks. It was said that the American network NBC had the best chance of buying the exclusive broadcast rights for this special. But now the news is that, due to AEG’s greed and/or NBC’s stinginess, this special will not be ready anytime soon. The reason is that AEG’s requested amount is very high: $20 million. In addition to NBC, many networks were eager to obtain the exclusive rights to air this special, but all of them expressed dissatisfaction with the amount demanded by the company. The dissatisfaction is because, for paying such a sum, Michael Jackson will not be featured! And the company does not provide them with any new or unique footage of Michael’s rehearsal performances on stage. According to a media source who asked to remain anonymous, the company tried to air the special on Michael’s birthday, August 29, on one of the TV networks. But August 29 falls on a Saturday, and according to statistics, on that day people are less inclined to watch television than on other days of the week. Therefore, AEG decided to broadcast the special in September. Some TV networks are also afraid that this special will become similar to the film that Sony is likely to release from Michael’s new rehearsals and performances on stage. The same anonymous source says about Michael’s TV special: "And the amount for something like that is $20 million? Without showing anything from Michael Jackson? Yes?" Source: eMJey / LA Times