杰克逊去世一年 收入十亿

The astonishing success of Jackson's music is reflected in the fact that the singer now accounts for nine of the 17 bestselling R&B hits in digital history, including Thriller, Billie Jean and Beat It.

Jackson's death has also been no impediment to his recording career.

In March, the administrators of his estate - John Branca and John McClain - inked a deal with Sony Music Entertainment believed to be one of the biggest in history.

The deal is expected to guarantee the Jackson estate as much as $US250 million.

It will see the release of 10 albums over seven years until 2017.

The albums will range from a collection of previously unreleased tracks to re-releases, in particular of 1979's Off The Wall.

The deal also allows Sony and the estate to work together on licensing arrangements for films, television and stage shows using Jackson's music.

Mr Branca says administrators are using Elvis Presley's posthumous empire as a template for how to manage Jackson's legacy.

"To this day there's interest in Elvis. And I think there will be enduring interest in Michael," Mr Branca said when the Sony deal was signed.

"It's our job to continue to expose Michael to new generations."

The blanket worldwide coverage given to Jackson's death has undoubtedly played a part in helping the singer find new audiences.

The This Is It movie, made from rehearsal footage of the singer's comeback concerts, became a hit last year, earning more than $US260 million worldwide at the box office and an additional $US68 million in DVD sales and rentals.

A further $US15 million is expected from the sale of television rights to the film, while licensing for screenings outside theatres - airplanes, hotels, cruise ships - could net around roughly $US24 million.

Mr Branca and Mr McClain have also given their blessing to a groundbreaking Guitar Hero-style video game from manufacturers Ubisoft, where gamers get points for emulating Jackson's signature moonwalk and other dance steps.

Meanwhile, the world famous Cirque du Soleil is planning a series of shows next year inspired by Jackson's music and dance work.

The tour of specially themed shows will kick off late in 2011, with an extended run in Las Vegas.

By late 2012 the Montreal-based contemporary circus troupe aims to have established a permanent performance there.

Jackson's estate owns 50 per cent of each project and will receive royalty payments for the intellectual property used in the shows.