Viacom’s cable networks win rights to air Michael Jackson film beginning in 2011

Viacom’s cable networks win rights to Jackson film

NEW YORK — Viacom Inc. says it has won exclusive rights in the U.S. to air “Michael Jackson’s This Is It” on its MTV and BET cable networks starting in 2011.

The Sony Pictures film, featuring rehearsal footage from the London concerts Jackson was planning when he died in June, has already pulled in $200 million in worldwide box office returns.

Viacom, led by Sumner Redstone, said Tuesday its rights to the movie last six years and cover all of the domestic cable channels in its MTV and BET networks division. Terms were not disclosed.