Movie executives at Sony Pictures have scrapped plans to release Michael Jackson's This Is It film on DVD before Christmas (09) after cinema bosses urged them to delay the release.

Theatre chain heads insisted a speedy DVD turnaround for the holiday season would keep fans away from cinemas and hamper ticket sales, prompting movie bosses to hold off releasing the concert rehearsal film on DVD until the New Year.

Instead, the Sony bosses have extended the film's limited two-week run by one to three weeks.

Michael Jackson's This Is It pulled in $101 million (Gbp63.1 million) around the world in just five days. The film ruled the U.S. box office, taking $21.3 million (Gbp13.3 million) in its opening weekend (30Oct-01Nov09). (c) WENN