Reportedly, Heart FM management feels the Jackson child molestation trial in California will "will upset a large number of their audience, such as young families and kids" according to Gigwise.com.
Heart FM points out that Jackson's music hasn't completely been yanked from its airwaves, but rather, will be dayparted to times when there's less chance of children or parents listening.
This is not the first time Michael Jackson's music has been a programming issue.
In 2003, when child molestation allegations surfaced once again and Jackson was arrested, radio stations did react negatively. Many stations across the U.S. and in other parts of the world pulled Jackson songs from their playlists.
In November of that year, England's Radio 1 banned Michael Jackson's latest single, "One More Chance". In addition, 18 other UK stations pulled the song. According to Mirror.co.uk, a Radio 1 spokesperson tried to downplay the ban by saying, "Jackson's not as relevant to our young audience as he once was."
Yet, according to a poll conducted by London's Capitol Radio, 81% of their listeners wanted to hear the new Jackson single.
The Michael Jackson trial continues this week in Santa Maria, California.
