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FYI

MJ Doc Fuels Reinterest in 'Whacko' Jacko’s Music

The media furor and speculation that followed HBO’s Leaving Neverland 2-part doc has led to a small numbe

MJ Doc Fuels Reinterest in 'Whacko' Jacko’s Music

By David Farrell

The media furor and speculation that followed HBO’s Leaving Neverland 2-part doc has led to a small number of radio stations erasing Michael Jackson’s hits from their playlists, the cancellation of a planned jukebox musical and the deceased singer’s estate volubly outraged. But here in Canada, the stink has created a cash cow with album, digital tracks and on-demand streams surging in the wake of the two-parter. The only significant evidence that The King of Pop’s influence is waning in Canada is a 27-percent drop in airplay spins since the show’s airing


Jackson’s alleged badness has created a thriller wave of good news for Sony Music and the estate.

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Here’s a breakdown of MJ’s Canada-wide metrics for the week ending March 7, 2019, as compared with the week ending Feb. 28, 2019.

  • Physical albums up a whopping 48%

  • Digital albums up 27%

  • Total albums up 39%

  • Digital tracks up 8%

  • On-demand streams up 7%

  • Airplay spins down 27%

Data provided by Nielsen Canada and SoundScan.

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Eric Wong (left) and Kristen Burke
Courtesy Photo

Eric Wong (left) and Kristen Burke

Record Labels

Eric Wong To Lead Warner Music Canada After Kristen Burke Steps Down

Burke announced the news in a letter to staff today. Wong comes to Warner Music Canada from his role as President of East West Records and Head of Global A&R at Warner Music Group.

Kristen Burke is stepping down as President of Warner Music Canada. She will be succeeded by Eric Wong, President of East West Records and Head of Global A&R at Warner Music Group.

Burke announced the news in a letter to staff and obtained by Billboard Canada today (Sept. 17).

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