Jacko is coming to cable in another example of MTV getting back to its music roots.
The cable network has secured the exclusive US TV rights to “Michael Jackson’s This Is It,” the documentary that opened on big screens late last month and has grossed nearly $223 million thus far.
The deal, announced yesterday, gives MTV a six-year window to air the movie, beginning in 2011, across all its music channels — including the MTV mothership and VH1, VH1 Classic and Palladia.
The deal also includes BET and its spinoff, Centric — which, like MTV, are both owned by Viacom.
“This Is It” chronicles Jackson’s rehearsals for what would have been a series of concerts held last summer in London’s 02 Arena.
The concerts were being billed as Jackson’s big comeback after a string of disappointing albums and personal problems — including his five-month 2005 trial on child molestation charges (he was acquitted on all counts).
The movie culls footage from over 100 hours of rehearsals held between March and June in the days leading up to Jackson’s death.
Plans to release the movie, directed by longtime Jackson collaborator Kenny Ortega, were announced several weeks after Jackson died June 25 at the age of 50.
“Michael Jackson has always been inextricably tied to our viewers as they witnessed his evolution from a talented performer to a global icon who redefined music,” said MTV Networks president Van Toffler.
“Now, with this film, we can help give his fans a chance to see his final performance.”
A&E will air a reality show — “The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty” — beginning Dec. 13. Michael Jackson is not included in the show, which tracks his brothers Jackie, Jermaine, Tito and Marlon and was shot last spring.