iTunes, Meet the Beatles

The Beatles are finally available on Apple's iTunes digital music store.Apple, Apple Corps and music major EMI made the announcement, which Apple has pursued for years, Tuesday morning.Financial details weren't disclosed, but debt-ladden EMI is seen as possibly avoiding debt covenant problems a while longer depending on how much it makes from Beatles sales on iTunes.Starting Tuesday, the group’s 13 remastered studio albums, the two-volume Past Masters compilation and the Red and Blue collections are available for purchase and download on iTunes worldwide as albums or individual songs.Fans can also get a special digital Beatles Box Set featuring the Live at the Washington Coliseum, 1964 concert film. “We’re really excited to bring the Beatles’ music to iTunes,” said Paul McCartney. “It’s fantastic to see the songs we originally released on vinyl receive as much love in the digital world as they did the first time around.” “I am particularly glad to no longer be asked when the Beatles are coming to iTunes,” said Ringo Starr. “At last, if you want it—you can get it now—The Beatles from Liverpool to now! Peace and Love, Ringo.” Apple CEO Steve Jobs said: “We love the Beatles and are honored and thrilled to welcome them to iTunes." He added: “It has been a long and winding road to get here. Thanks to the Beatles and EMI, we are now realizing a dream we’ve had since we launched iTunes ten years ago.” Yoko Ono Lennon said it was appropriate that the deal was done in her late husband John’s 70th birthday year. And Olivia Harrison said: “The Beatles on iTunes—Bravo!”EMI Group CEO Roger Faxon called the deal "a great milestone in the development of digital music.” Single albums are available for purchase and download for $12.99 each, double albums for $19.99 each and individual songs for $1.29 each. Apple Corps Ltd. was founded by The Beatles in 1968 to look after the group’s affairs. It has administered the catalogue of The Beatles releases of the 1960s, which to-date have sold more than 600 million records, tapes and CDs.(This was originally reported in The Hollywood Reporter.)

Performance Marketing

iTunes, Meet the Beatles

Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter

About

Subscriptions

Events

Publications

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter