World Listens to New Michael Jackson Song

A new Michael Jackson song, the first track to emerge since the star's death, has been given its public premiere.

Few details of the track, called This Is It, were released beforehand.

It features backing vocals by Jackson's brothers, but it is not known whether they were recorded before or after the star's death in June, the BBC reported.

At the time of its airing there was also no information about when it was written and recorded, and who else worked on it.

His record label and estate declined requests for details.

It was aired on Jackson's website, michaeljackson.com, at 4 am GMT on Monday and sent to radio stations and other media outlets.

Fans will be able to buy it as part of an album of the same name on 26 October.

It is likely to be the first of many new songs to see the light of day as his family and estate sift through music he left behind.

The star was working with artists like Akon and Will.i.am before his death in June.

It had been widely expected that the song would be made available to buy from digital retailers such as iTunes from Monday.

Jackson's official website described it as a "brand new single", which would be "released" on 12 October.

But a spokesperson said the term "released" referred to its distribution to radio stations and other media outlets.

The song takes its name from the ill-fated series of comeback shows that were to have taken place at London's O2 arena.

It will also feature in the closing credits of a film, also called This Is It, which has been made using footage of rehearsals for the O2 concerts, due to be released in cinemas on 28 October.