The New York Times: Apple Has Struck a Deal to Sell The Beatles' Catalogue Online

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/11/16/beatles.itunes.update/index.html?hpt=T2

'Abbey Road,' 'Let it Be' climbing iTunes charts
By Jacque Wilson, CNN
November 16, 2010 2:03 p.m. EST | Filed under: Web

More than 40 years after they broke up, the Beatles stormed the charts of Apple's iTunes online music store.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

* "Abbey Road" and "The Beatles Box Set" are climbing the iTunes sales chart
* "Let it Be" was the most popular Beatles single
* Based on early sales it seems later-year Beatles albums are more popular

(CNN) -- Fans of the Beatles on iTunes want it all and they want it now.

They want their something old (1963's "With the Beatles"), their something new ("Abbey Road," the last album they recorded together), their something boxed-up (the $149 Beatles Box Set) and their something blue (the "Blue" album, of course).

Less than an hour after the homepage of Apple's iTunes online store switched to Beatlemania at 10 a.m. ET, "Abbey Road" had already jumped to No. 21 on the album sales spot. Not far behind were the box set -- which contains all the group's studio albums -- at No. 23, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" at No. 27 and "The White Album" at No. 29.

By 11:20 a.m. "Here Comes the Sun" had become the first Fab Four single to reach the iTunes charts at No. 199. Twenty-five minutes later it had been joined by "Let it Be" and "Blackbird."

After years of rumors and speculation, Tuesday marked the first time the Beatles' digital music was legally on sale.

By early afternoon the Fab Four were taking over iTunes the same way they took America by storm on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964. While Ke$ha and Katy Perry still topped the iTunes singles charts, Beatles songs were steadily climbing.

As of 1:30 p.m. ET, "Let it Be" was up to No. 72, followed closely by "Here Comes the Sun" and more than 15 other songs, from the boisterous "I Saw Her Standing There" to the trippy "A Day in the Life."

Think you know the Beatles? Check out this trivia

On the album chart, "Abbey Road" led all other Beatles releases at No. 12, followed by "The White Album" and the box set. Other classics, such as "Sgt. Pepper," the "Blue" and "Red" albums, "Revolver," "Rubber Soul," the "Magical Mystery Tour" and "Let it Be," were close behind.

Overall, the Beatles occupied 15 of the top 50 spots on the iTunes albums chart.

Based on early sales, the longer-haired, psychedelic Beatles were more popular with iTunes shoppers than the earlier, poppier Beatles. Most of the top-charting albums and songs were from 1966 or later.

We'll keep an eye on iTunes this afternoon. We have a feeling the "Glee" Christmas album, Rihanna and other artists who made the poor choice to release albums today will have some serious competition.

http://arts.nationalpost.com/2010/11/15/can-buy-me-love-emi-apple-reach-deal-to-...

Can buy me love: EMI, Apple reach deal to release Beatles’ catalogue on iTunes, report says

Read more: http://arts.nationalpost.com/2010/11/15/can-buy-me-love-emi-apple-reach-deal-to-...

Jason Rehel - The National Post
November 15, 2010 – 6:26 pm

It’s surely one of the biggest landmarks in the shift of the music recording industry from selling CDs to hawking digital files: The Wall Street Journal‘s tech blog is reporting that Apple Inc. is set to announce that its iTunes music store has reached a deal with EMI and the rights holders to The Beatles catalogue to release the music in digital form.

The WSJ says no one, including such key players such as former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s widow, Yoko Ono, has commented. Details of the hookup are not available, but check back with us and we’ll keep you updated.

Apple Inc. and its CEO Steve Jobs have long coveted digital distribution rights to the Beatles back catalogue, which contains some of the most valuable and endurably iconic (and thus bankable) tunes in the history of Western pop culture. The struggle has had many twists and turns, from Apple Inc.’s legal battle involving the use of the Apple logo and imprint on Beatles albums (settled in 2007), to recent statements by Yoko Ono that cast significant doubt on whether Apple Corp. would ever cede permission to EMI to sell the digital rights to anyone, let alone a technology beheamoth such as iTunes.

It looks like we can breathe easy again, though: Our ticket to ride could soon be only a click away.

Read more: http://arts.nationalpost.com/2010/11/15/can-buy-me-love-emi-apple-reach-deal-to-...

http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2010/11/15/one-more-time-the-beatles-on-itunes/?sect...

One more time: The Beatles on iTunes?
Posted by Philip Elmer-DeWitt - Fortune
November 15, 2010 8:18 PM

Photo: The Beatles' Feb. 7, 1964 New York press conference, courtesy of Apple Corps

Putting their catalog on Apple's music store wouldn't make it a day I'd never forget

.

Billboard and the Wall Street Journal have stuck their necks out and reported that they know what's behind the teaser Apple (AAPL) posted on its website Monday morning. As the Journal put it:

"Apple Inc. is preparing to announce that its iTunes Store will soon start carrying music by the Beatles, according to people familiar with the situation, a move that would fill in a glaring gap in the collection of the world's largest music retailer."

Okay. Maybe. We've been down this long and winding road too often in the past two years to hold our breath.

And even if there is a Beatles announcement Tuesday at 10 a.m. EST (7 a.m. PST) -- the appointed hour according apple.com's full-page promo -- would that make it, as promised, "a day you'll never forget"?

We find Billboard's "clues" -- a McCartney song title, the hands of the four clocks resembling the band members arms on the "Help!" album cover -- unconvincing. If you're looking for clues, we'd be inclined to focus on "forgetting" -- as in memory and storage.

Maybe we'll get the Beatles. But I'm putting my money on the cloud -- in the form of Apple's ginormous new server farm in North Carolina -- as a place to store files that (we hope) will never be forgotten.

-

http://fortunebrainstormtech.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/screen-shot-2010-11-15-...

http://beatcrave.com/2010-11-15/the-beatles-might-finally-be-coming-to-itunes/

The Beatles Might Finally Be Coming To iTunes
Nov 15, 2010 - By Jeffrey Hyatt (BeatCrave)

Apple on Monday posted a message on the iTunes homepage that it would make “an exciting announcement” Tuesday morning.

Well, Tuesday morning isn’t here yet, but already speculation is that Apple will announce that it would soon start carrying the Beatles’ music catalog.

An agreement for legal downloading of the group’s catalog of music from 1962-1970 is about to be announced by Steve Jobs’ Apple Inc., the Beatles’ Apple Corps and EMI/Capitol Records, the Wall Street Journal reports.

“Tomorrow is just another day. That you’ll never forget,” the Apple message read.

An official deal between Apple and the Beatles’ Apple Corps would finally put a bow on what has been a longtime feud, highlighted by lawsuits and settlements and the Fab Four not being on iTunes.

But it appears an agreement has been reached. However, spokespeople for each party have refused to comment.

It was just a few months ago that Paul McCartney placed the blame on Beatles record label EMI for the slowdown in getting a deal signed to deliver the Fab Four’s songs onto the digital music store.

“To tell you the truth I don’t actually understand how it’s got so crazy,” Sir Paul told Newsbeat. “I know iTunes would like to do it, so one day it’s going to happen.”

According to BBC, McCartney has always wanted to make the Beatles’ music available to download. But the catalog, that oh-so precious back catalog of classic tunes, remains unavailable to buy online.

“It’s been business hassles,” McCartney said. “Not with us, or iTunes. It’s the people in the middle, the record label. There have been all sorts of reasons why they don’t want to do it.”

The Beatles aren’t the only big iTunes holdout.

AC/DC, Bob Seger and Kid Rock all have withheld their music from the online store. The mighty Led Zeppelin folded a few years ago and now they’re available on iTunes.

But the Beatles have always been the big fish. Even if Apple had every artist known to mankind on iTunes, but not the Beatles, the world’s largest music retailer would be incomplete.

The damn story has been going on for so long, I wouldn’t be surprised if the deal fell apart five minutes before the big announcement tomorrow at 10:00 AM EST.

Billboard is pretty confident about a deal happening, and even expects special features, like “a Beatles-branded iPod or iPhone — or even an iPad that comes with the entire Beatles catalog pre-loaded for some astronomical price.”

There figures to be a lot of money to be made for all parties in such a major digital licensing deal, EMI certainly hopes so, and really – the Fab Four just needs to be on iTunes. Even if you already own all the Beatles albums, won’t it be nice just knowing you could download Revolver or Beatles for Sale if you needed to?

http://www.hitfix.com/blogs/the-beat-goes-on/posts/breaking-beatles-headed-to-it...

The Beat Goes On
Inside Music with Melinda Newman
The Beatles headed to iTunes, finally

Published on Monday, Nov 15, 2010 7:35 PM Melinda Newman

Are the Beatles headed to iTunes, finally?

The Beatles

Credit: Apple Corp.

Apple wants to hold the Beatles’ hands. After years of negotiations, Apple’s iTunes is set to announce the addition of the Fab Four’s catalog to its download service, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Talks have been ongoing between Apple, the Beatles representatives at Apple Corps. (which sued Apple for several years over infringement); and EMI, the owner of much of the Beatles’ catalog. Earlier today, Apple added the following announced to the iTunes homepage: “Tomorrow is just another day that you’ll never forget.” The announcement is set for 10 a.m. EST.

Maybe we’re reading too much into it, but “just another day,” is, of course, a phrase from “Another Day,” a song added onto the CD version of Paul McCartney’s “Ram” album. McCartney’s solo material and his work with Wings are already on iTunes.

There are still a number of high profile holdouts when it comes to iTunes, including Garth Brooks, AC/DC and Kid Rock.

http://www.thinq.co.uk/2010/11/15/apple-itunes-store-stock-beatles/

Apple iTunes Store to stock The Beatles

Deal could end decades-long dispute

15 November, 2010

Apple is preparing to announce that its iTunes Store will soon feature music by The Beatles, ending a long-running dispute between the iPod maker and the iconic rock band, founders of music company Apple Corps.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, "people familiar with the situation" say a deal is on the cards between the Cupertino company and lawyers for the band and EMI Records. The record company is the owner of the Fab Four's recordings, which are published under the Apple Records label.

The deal, if struck, will finally fill an obvious hole in the iTunes music selection, left by Apple Corps' refusal to allow Apple, Inc to stock The Beatles' work.

The boycott came as a result of a legal dispute between the firms that began in 2003, when Apple Corps sued the computer giant for going back on an undertaking not to enter the music business, made as part of the settlement of a trademark dispute between the two companies in 1978.

The deal isn't in the bag yet, though. The WSJ's sources warn that Apple lawyers could still pull the plug on the deal at the last minute.

Apple, EMI and Paul McCartney declined to comment on the agreement.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/music_blog/2010/11/the-beatles-on-itunes-at-last...

Pop & Hiss
The L.A. Times

The Beatles on iTunes at last? [Update]
November 15, 2010 | 4:04 pm

Photo: Beatles-Ed Sullivan 1964

The refrain of “Don’t Let Me Download” from the Beatles may come to end as the Fab Four’s catalog reportedly will be coming to iTunes shortly, according to the Wall Street Journal.

An agreement for legal downloading of the group’s cherished catalog of more than 200 songs recorded from 1962-1970 is about to be announced by Steve Jobs’ Apple Inc., the Beatles’ Apple Corps and EMI/Capitol Records, the Journal reports.

Representatives for EMI/Capitol, surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr and Apple Corps did not respond immediately to requests for comment. A spokesman for Apple Inc. said Monday that the company had no comment on the report. The company is making what it claims will be an “exciting” announcement on Tuesday morning.

A source close to the Beatles camp told The Times on Monday that such an agreement would not be surprising given the recent posting on iTunes of the entire Apple Records catalog of recordings, excluding the Beatles’ music. That consists of 15 albums by acts the Beatles signed and recorded in the late '60s and early 1970s after creating their own Apple Records label, among them Badfinger, James Taylor, Mary Hopkin and Jackie Lomax.

“The working relationship between Apple [Corps] and iTunes started with the remastered versions of songs by Apple recordings artists other than those named John, Paul, George and Ringo,” the source said. “What Paul has done with his own [solo] stuff, or what anyone who owns their own masters has done is not nearly as significant because these non-Beatle Apple artists are truly what Apple owns. With Apple going in that direction, it’s a significant clue as to what lies ahead” for the Beatles’ own recordings.

The Beatles have been the biggest holdout from the iTunes world, but several other major acts still have not licensed music to the downloading service, including Garth Brooks, Kid Rock, AC/DC, Def Leppard, Tool and Bob Seger.

(Update at 5:02 p.m.:) Shortly after the 2007 resolution of a long-standing dispute between the Beatles' Apple Corps and Steve Jobs' Apple Inc., another lawsuit was settled between Apple Corps and EMI Records dispute over royalty payments that Apple said was owed by EMI.

Last year Paul McCartney said the only hurdle to posting the group's music online was remaining differences between EMI and Apple Corps' "principals": himself, Ringo Starr, John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono, and George Harrison's widow, Olivia Harrison. The settlement of those issues led to the posting on iTunes in recent weeks of the non-Beatles Apple Records catalog, which led to considerable speculation that the Beatles music wouldn't be far behind.

No details were reported of whatever deal may have been reached between the Beatles, Apple Inc and EMI, but speculation immediately began as to how much Beatles downloads will cost.

“They will likely take the position that the Beatles made some of the greatest music ever recorded,” the source said. “I suspect it will be at a premium price.”

Most Beatles watchers felt it was just a matter of time until the group’s music became available for downloading following the digital remastering of the entire catalog last year. That music was released on individual CDs and in two box sets that sold strongly during the final quarter of 2009. EMI and Capitol also recently reissued two hits “best-of” compilations that originally appeared in 1973: “The Beatles/1962-1966” and “The Beatles/1967-1970,” aka the “Red” and “Blue” albums.

“It’s great to see Apple finally joining civilization here in 2010,” said Chris Carter, host of the long-running “Breakfast with the Beatles” program on KLOS-FM (95.5) in Southern California and on Sirius XM Satellite radio. “I don’t think there’s a downside to it. Where else are you going to be able to find a copy of ‘Beatles for Sale’ when you need it late on a Friday night?’”

--Randy Lewis

Photo: The Beatles performing on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1964. Credit: Associated Press