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Beatles albums offered on iTunes | Beatles albums offered on iTunes |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The Beatles' back catalogue is finally available on iTunes, after years of negotiations. | The Beatles' back catalogue is finally available on iTunes, after years of negotiations. |
It will mean that for the first time consumers will be able to purchase some of the Fab Four's most popular songs via the store. | It will mean that for the first time consumers will be able to purchase some of the Fab Four's most popular songs via the store. |
Apple and record label EMI have been in talks for years about getting the catalogue online. | Apple and record label EMI have been in talks for years about getting the catalogue online. |
Apple chief executive and Beatles fan Steve Jobs said it had "been a long and winding road to get here". | Apple chief executive and Beatles fan Steve Jobs said it had "been a long and winding road to get here". |
"We love the Beatles and are honoured and thrilled to welcome them to iTunes," he said. | "We love the Beatles and are honoured and thrilled to welcome them to iTunes," he said. |
Sir Paul McCartney echoed his thoughts. | Sir Paul McCartney echoed his thoughts. |
"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," he said. | "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," he said. |
Ringo Starr added: "I'm particularly glad to no longer be asked when the Beatles are coming to iTunes." | Ringo Starr added: "I'm particularly glad to no longer be asked when the Beatles are coming to iTunes." |
Trademark dispute | Trademark dispute |
But not everyone was convinced it was such a big deal. | But not everyone was convinced it was such a big deal. |
Writing in his blog, Mark Mulligan, an analyst with research firm Forrester, said it was not what the younger generation of digital music fans craved. | |
"The fact that securing the content of a band old enough to be most young music fans' grandfathers is a sad reflection of the state of the digital music market," he said. | "The fact that securing the content of a band old enough to be most young music fans' grandfathers is a sad reflection of the state of the digital music market," he said. |
"The digital music market needs new music products, not yesteryear's hits repackaged," he added. | "The digital music market needs new music products, not yesteryear's hits repackaged," he added. |
For years The Beatles' music label Apple Corps was involved in a bitter trademark dispute with Apple the computer company. The dispute was finally settled in 2007. | For years The Beatles' music label Apple Corps was involved in a bitter trademark dispute with Apple the computer company. The dispute was finally settled in 2007. |
Earlier in the year Sir Paul McCartney hinted that part of the delay in getting a deal with Apple was down to EMI. | Earlier in the year Sir Paul McCartney hinted that part of the delay in getting a deal with Apple was down to EMI. |
Beatles USB | Beatles USB |
The Beatles catalogue has been a noticeable absence from the iTunes store despite the fact that solo works of members of the band are on sale there. | The Beatles catalogue has been a noticeable absence from the iTunes store despite the fact that solo works of members of the band are on sale there. |
There have been forays into the digital world for the band. | There have been forays into the digital world for the band. |
Last year EMI released limited edition apple-shaped USB drives containing The Beatles' studio albums as digital files. | Last year EMI released limited edition apple-shaped USB drives containing The Beatles' studio albums as digital files. |
And in September 2009, The Beatles: Rock Band video game was released. | And in September 2009, The Beatles: Rock Band video game was released. |
Even though the group formed around 50 years ago, they remain one of the top-selling bands in the world. | Even though the group formed around 50 years ago, they remain one of the top-selling bands in the world. |
Neilsen SoundScan reported that they have sold more than 30 million albums in the past decade. | Neilsen SoundScan reported that they have sold more than 30 million albums in the past decade. |
EMI has said that with worldwide sales of one billion albums, the Beatles are the top-selling band in music history. | EMI has said that with worldwide sales of one billion albums, the Beatles are the top-selling band in music history. |
The deal with Apple comes amid uncertainty at EMI. | The deal with Apple comes amid uncertainty at EMI. |
The company's owner, private equity firm Terra Firma Capital Partners, owes millions in debt payments to Citigroup, which helped bankroll the purchase of EMI in 2007. | The company's owner, private equity firm Terra Firma Capital Partners, owes millions in debt payments to Citigroup, which helped bankroll the purchase of EMI in 2007. |
Ben Rumley from Enders Analysis says the Beatles' arrival is as important for EMI as it is for consumers. | Ben Rumley from Enders Analysis says the Beatles' arrival is as important for EMI as it is for consumers. |
"EMI will make some money selling The Beatles once again," he told BBC 6 Music. | "EMI will make some money selling The Beatles once again," he told BBC 6 Music. |
"The Beatles were about 10% of their sales in the US last year, excluding digital, so having The Beatles available online can clearly be a good thing. They're very good at exploiting them." | "The Beatles were about 10% of their sales in the US last year, excluding digital, so having The Beatles available online can clearly be a good thing. They're very good at exploiting them." |
The iTunes music store opened in 2003 and is now the largest music retailer in the world. | The iTunes music store opened in 2003 and is now the largest music retailer in the world. |
The Beatles albums are available for purchase and download for £10.99 each, double albums for £17.99 and individual songs for 99p. | The Beatles albums are available for purchase and download for £10.99 each, double albums for £17.99 and individual songs for 99p. |
A box set, containing all 13 remastered studio albums is available for £125. It includes the Beatles very first US concert in its entirety. | A box set, containing all 13 remastered studio albums is available for £125. It includes the Beatles very first US concert in its entirety. |