The King of Pop is joining The Boss and Old Blue Eyes on SiriusXM satellite radio.
The month-long Michael Jackson channel was announced Wednesday by the MJ’s estate.
The channel will feature music from Michael Jackson’s albums and from live performances, including his 1988 concerts at London’s Wembley Stadium on his Bad Tour.
Around-the-clock King of Pop programming will begin at noon Eastern. Michael Jackson joins SiriusXM channels devoted to artists like Bruce Springsteen, Frank Sinatra and The Beatles.
Playlists created by singer Akon, Michael Jackson’s brothers and Jackson 5 members.
It will also include music that influenced Michael Jackson from artists including James Brown and Sly & the Family Stone, and artists that Michael influenced including Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake and Usher.
Journalist and author Steven Ivory, a family friend who interviewed Jackson often, will provide the voice of the channel, telling stories, introducing discussions that chronicle the history and career of Jackson and sharing his own Jackson playlist.
Ivory said the music and message of Jackson, who died in 2009 at age 50, are especially fitting for the world in a moment of trouble and turmoil.
“Michael’s music has always rallied the world to acknowledge historical anguish in songs and videos such as ‘They Don’t Really Care About Us’ and ‘Black or White,‘” Ivory said in a statement. “At the same time, he aspired to unify and lead the world with inspiring anthems like ‘Heal the World’ and ‘Earth Song’ which addressed issues that were important to him such as the care of our planet.”
The channel will be available for 30 days on the SiriusXM app and streaming devices, and on the satellite radio network’s channel 50 for a week.
SiriusXM’s exclusive Michael Jackson channel — featuring the best of the King of Pop — will give you the perfect soundtrack for dancing or rocking the night away when it launches today, July 15 at 12pm ET.
TheMichael Jackson Channel will feature music from the King of Pop’s entire catalog, from The Jackson 5 to his solo hits, live performances, and Michael Jackson’s Live at Wembley concert from 1988. The channel will also air King of Pop Playlists featuring Guest DJs such as Akon and Rodney Jerkins, as well as Jackson 5 members and brothers Jackie, Marlon, and Tito playing and discussing their favorite Michael Jackson songs. The Michael Jackson Channel is voiced by journalist and author Steven Ivory whose byline has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Billboard, the Hollywood Reporter, Essence, and Vibe, among others. Ivory is a long time Jackson family friend and interviewed Michael Jackson, his sister, and brothers many times over the years. He weaves history, context, and insight around Michael’s music and the artists who influenced Michael and who were influenced by him. Ivory has also created a playlist he is calling Now More Than Ever as a soundtrack for this important moment in history.
“Michael’s music has always rallied the world to acknowledge historical anguish with songs and videos such as ‘They Don’t Really Care About Us’ and ‘Black or White,’” Ivory said. “At the same time, he aspired to unify and lead the world with inspiring anthems like ‘Heal the World’ and ‘Earth Song,’ which addressed issues that were important to him such as the care of our planet.”
The Now More Than Ever King of Pop Playlist premiers on Friday, July 17 at 7pm ET. The Michael Jackson Channelwill be available on the SiriusXM app in the Pop category. Channel 50 will also become The Michael Jackson Channel from Wednesday, July 15 at 12pm ET through Tuesday, July 21.
More information HERE
