Michael Jackson documentary fallout could dent Sony's $250 million deal

Three radio stations have already stopped playing Jackson’s music in wake of the new documentary. (Indiewire)

‘Leaving Neverland’ — a documentary filled with stunning allegations of sexual abuse of children by Michael Jackson — could be disastrous for Sony Music and its $250 million seven-year deal to distribute the late pop star’s music.

The two-part, four hour documentary on HBO tells Wade Robson and James Safechuck’s stories of detailed allegations of repeated abuse over years by the singer who died in 2009.

The Jackson family denies the charges and is suing HBO for $100 million.

Jackson is among the bestselling recording artists of all time. He’s sold more 1 billion albums worldwide. He’s been Forbes Magazine’s highest paid dead celebrity every year since his death except one.

Three major Canadian Cogeco-owned radio stations and smaller market stations have already pulled Jackson’s music from their airwaves. In total, they reach more than five million listeners per week.

So far — radio and streaming services haven’t pulled Jackson’s music but that could change as backlash grows. Record sales and merchandise could also drop.

Sony has not said it’s dropping Jackson, but it did drop R.Kelly after the Lifetime documentary ‘Surviving R.Kelly’ aired in January.

Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android.