Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” music video premiered simultaneously in 27 countries in 1991.
The video debuted on November 14, 1991, alongside the release of the single from Jackson’s album Dangerous. Its simultaneous international premiere was promoted as a major television event, reaching an estimated audience of hundreds of millions. The rollout demonstrated how music videos had become global broadcast spectacles rather than programming confined to one national music channel.
Directed by John Landis, who had also directed “Thriller,” the video combines Jackson performing in multiple settings with a morphing sequence that transforms one face into another. Its closing section also drew controversy because of aggressive dance movements and destructive imagery, leading to edits for some broadcasts.
The 27-country figure is associated with the premiere event, not with the number of places where the video was eventually available. It is also distinct from MTV’s audience figures, which represented only part of the broader international television launch.