TVNZ to screen controversial Michael Jackson documentary 'Leaving Neverland'

Michael Jackson performs in concert circa 1986. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)

TVNZ has confirmed it's bringing the controversial Michael Jackson documentary 'Leaving Neverland' to TVNZ 1 and TVNZ On Demand.

While the screening date is yet to be announced sources have revealed it was a tight race between MediaWorks and TVNZ to secure the four-hour doco, which screens in two parts.

'Leaving Neverland', which follows two men who accuse Michael Jackson of sexually abusing them when they were aged 7 and 10, gained instant worldwide notoriety after screening at the Sundance Film Festival last month.

Jackson's estate was quick to condemn the film, labelling it "lurid" and calling it "just another rehash of dated and discredited allegations".

"This is yet another lurid production in an outrageous and pathetic attempt to exploit and cash in on Michael Jackson," they wrote in a statement.

However, critics at Sundance found the content of the film strongly credible, describing it as "a horror film," and reporting that the movie had left them "shaken". The revelations in the film are so sexually explicit that counsellors were on hand to support the audience after the viewing.

Jackson repeatedly denied allegations of sexual abuse during his lifetime and was acquitted of child molestation criminal charges in 2005.