AEG to Auction Rights for Michael Jackson TV Special

AEG, the concert promoter associated with Michael Jackson's comeback tour is selling the broadcast rights for a prime-time television special based around the staging and choreography that the King of Pop created for his "This Is It" concert series, reports the Los Angeles Times.

A source of the deal told the Los Angeles Times that the special would air in September and would be directed by Kenny Ortega, the choreographer-director who worked directly with Jackson on his "This Is It" performances.

The source described the special as an "ensemble of superstars that might include Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake and Will.I.Am performing Jackson's hits using the costuming, choreography, aerial ballet and special effects-driven illusions that had been engineered for the singer's comeback."

According to the Los Angeles Times, NBC is among the networks that are trying to obtain the special's broadcasting rights. Fox is reportedly off the deal after network executives concluded the special would be too similar to footage that is being bid on for a film release.

An announcement about the project is expected Monday, the source said.