Netflix Nearly Pulled 3-Part Michael Jackson Doc as 188,000 Fans Backed Removal Petition
Updated
Updated · Variety · Jul 24
Netflix Nearly Pulled 3-Part Michael Jackson Doc as 188,000 Fans Backed Removal Petition
2 articles · Updated · Variety · Jul 24
Summary
A week before the June 3 premiere, Netflix executives considered scrapping “Michael Jackson: The Verdict” over feared legal retaliation from Michael Jackson’s estate, according to two sources cited by Variety.
Those concerns drove unusual precautions: Netflix announced the series only two weeks before launch, limited internal communications, issued security briefings and blocked advance reviews and filmmaker interviews.
Netflix denied it reconsidered the release because of outside pressure, saying the series launched as planned and stayed in its Top 10 for three weeks.
The anxiety reflected the estate’s record of suing over Jackson documentaries, including actions against HBO over “Leaving Neverland” and ABC over “The Last Days of Michael Jackson,” though Variety said Netflix has not heard from the estate to date.
Despite fan backlash — including a Change.org petition with more than 188,000 signatures and a 7% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes — the doc drew 17.8 million views in five days, hit No. 1 in 61 countries and reached the Top 10 in 89.