New Michael Jackson Doc to Debut on TV Guide Network

LOS ANGELES: Gone Too Soon, a new two-hour documentary special from author and filmmaker Ian Halperin about the many questions surrounding the death of Michael Jackson, will make its U.S. debut on June 25 on TV Guide Network.

Distributed by Shine International, the documentary will also air the same day in more than 50 countries. The special was conceived as a follow up to Halperin’s 2009 New York Times best-selling book Unmasked: The Final Years of Michael Jackson. Gone Too Soon is culled from more than 300 hours of footage shot before and immediately following the King of Pop’s death.

In addition to TV Guide Network in the U.S., it will air on Discovery across Latin America; Brazil’s Globosat; Germany’s ProSiebenSat.1 Media; Fox International Channels Italy; Fox International Channels Greece; Fox International Channels Turkey; New Zealand’s Mediaworks; Romania’s Antenna1; Australia’s Foxtel; Ireland’s RTE; Norway’s TVNorge; South Africa’s MNET; TV3 in Denmark; CPI in the Philippines; and MBC across the Middle East, as part of an ongoing output deal.

“I couldn’t see Gone Too Soon airing on any other channel besides TV Guide Network,” said Halperin. “With the success they had with the Susan Boyle special, this proved to be the right home not only for the movie but also for my brand. I hope this is a long lasting relationship.”

“Michael Jackson was the biggest entertainer in the world,” added Diane Robina, TV Guide Network’s executive VP of programming and marketing. “A year after his death, people are still fascinated with his life story. We’re thrilled to participate in this global media event by presenting this gripping documentary to his fans across the U.S.”

“Michael Jackson remains the biggest celebrity in the world, and on the anniversary of his death, fans around the world will be given a new glimpse into his life via Gone Too Soon,” commented Chris Grant, the president of Shine International. “At Shine International, we’re always seeking breakthrough, original content that will resonate with global audiences. With this documentary airing in more than 50 countries, we’ve once again proven that, with our strong broadcaster relationships, we have the ability to create international TV events.”