Airdate: Leaving Neverland

10 has secured the rights to HBO documentary Leaving Neverland, the controversial documentary on Michael Jackson which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival.

Two men who were befriended by Jackson, including Australian choreographer Wade Robson, recount their experiences, acknowledging they contrast previous on-the-record statements.

The 2 part doco, which is yet to broadcast in America, is now the subject of a legal fight. Optimum Productions and the two co-executors of the Jackson Estate is suing HBO and parent company Time Warner claiming the documentary constitutes a breach of a non-disparagement clause in an old contract.

10 will screen on Friday, 8 March and Saturday, 9 March but an extended and unedited version will be fast-tracked on 10 Play and 10 All Access from Friday morning, 8 March at 10.01am.

In this insightful two-part television event, Leaving Neverland details the story of two boys, Brisbane born Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who began their long-running relationships with hit-maker Michael Jackson at the height of his stardom.

Now in their 30s, they recount their alleged stories of how they were sexually abused by the pop icon, and how they came to terms with it years later.

Described by Michael Jackson’s estate as one-sided and sensationalist, this controversial and confronting documentary shines a light on the dark and disturbing events that allegedly took place over a number of years at Michael Jackson’s famed Neverland ranch.

Leaving Neverland is a HBO commissioned documentary in conjunction with British film maker Dan Reed (The Valley, Terror In Mumbai, Three Days Of Terror: The Charlie Hedbo Attacks, The Paedophile Hunter) and Channel 4 UK.

Friday, 8 March at 8:30pm and Saturday, 9 March at 8.30pm on 10.