Documentary to Premiere in US on Real Stories YouTube Channel.
Award-winning content studio and digital media network, Little Dot Studios (an All3Media company), has acquired the exclusive US and English Canadian rights for Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson, the highly anticipated follow-up to the Emmy and BAFTA-winning documentary Leaving Neverland. The documentary, produced and directed by Dan Reed of Amos Pictures, will premiere in the US and English-speaking Canada on Little Dot Studio’s owned and operated network, shortly after its initial UK debut on Channel 4, with Sphere Abacus handling international distribution.
In a move reflecting the evolving content consumption landscape, Leaving Neverland 2 will be available on Real Stories, Little Dot Studios' premium documentary YouTube channel with more than 6.5m subscribers, followed by select additional Little Dot channel brands. This strategy ensures the film reaches a wide and diverse audience by leveraging YouTube’s growing dominance as a platform for long-form viewing.
“Premiering this film on YouTube is about breaking down barriers to access,” said Dan Reed, director of Leaving Neverland 2 and founder of Amos Pictures. “Traditional platforms can only reach so many people, but YouTube offers an opportunity for this story to be seen by audiences on their own terms as it's freely available. With its proven expertise in digital distribution and commitment to impactful storytelling, Little Dot Studios is the ideal partner to make that happen. This release marks a significant step forward in how important documentaries can be shared and discussed at scale.”
The decision to release the documentary on YouTube aligns with recent insights from YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, who confirmed that TV screen viewing on the platform has now surpassed mobile consumption. Further underscoring YouTube’s dominance, Nielsen's The Gauge report for December 2024 revealed that YouTube achieved a record 11.1% share of total TV watch time in the United States, more than any other streaming platform. As audiences increasingly turn to YouTube for premium, long-form content, platforms like Real Stories, part of Little Dot Studios' digital network of over 135 channels, are becoming key distribution hubs for impactful documentaries.
"Leaving Neverland 2 is a powerful and significant film that deserves to be seen by both traditional documentary audiences and the growing community of viewers on Real Stories," said Paul Woolf, Head of Unscripted Development and Executive Editor of Documentary, Nature, and Scripted Channels at Little Dot Studios. "Our established YouTube channels allow us to connect this documentary with engaged audiences who actively seek out thought-provoking content. This release highlights how digital platforms can amplify the reach and impact of documentary filmmaking."
Leaving Neverland 2 continues the journey of Wade Robson and James Safechuck as they seek justice for their alleged abuse by Michael Jackson. The film captures their ongoing legal battle, the resulting personal toll, and the backlash they faced from Jackson's global fanbase. With exclusive access to court hearings, the documentary reveals how MJJ Productions and MJJ Ventures fought to prevent the case from reaching trial.
Produced by Marguerite Gaudin and edited by Peter Haddon and Ben Hills, with Iris Maor as head of production, Leaving Neverland 2 promises to reignite global conversations around justice, accountability, and the enduring power of survivor testimony. The 2019 original film won an Emmy for best documentary or nonfiction special, as well as a BAFTA TV award for best factual series.
Little Dot Studios is an All3Media company. Check out Deadlinel's original article here.