Hong Kong – CNN International was the first pay TV channel to announce Michael Jackson tribute programming, followed later in the day by Channel [V] and MTV Asia. With the sudden death of Michael Jackson dominating news channels, CNN International announced Michael Jackson 1958-2009, a Larry King Live two-hour special today from 12pm Hong Kong time. On Friday, 26 June Channel [V] will premiere three commemorative specials, starting with a one-hour Michael Jackson Special Presentation at 8pm (HK/SG, 9pm MAL). Following this at 9pm (HK/SG) [V] premieres A Tribute to Michael Jackson. Finally, CHANNEL [V] premieres the 30-minute Michael Jackson Special at 10.50pm (HK/ SG). Encore telecasts will continue over the weekend. And MTV’s Michael Jackson tribute programming started airing in Southeast Asia and China with a Michael Jackson tribute special today (26 June 2009) at 2pm (Singapore) with additional programming throughout the day and weekend of 27 & 28 June 2009. MTV China will also be airing special programming today, 26 June 2009 at 2.30pm, 5.30pm, 7.30pm and midnight. The hour long program will celebrated the music legend’s greatest videos including Black & White, Billie Jean, Thriller and Beat It. Earlier today, MTV released the following statement: “Michael’s death is a tremendous loss around the world. He was an incredible entertainer, a musical genius who moved generations of fans. He crossed cultural and geographical boundaries, elevated music videos to an art form and was inextricably tied to MTV. His music will live on and continue to entertain us forever.”