Beatles on iTunes: Apple Starts Peddling Fab Four's Tunes

By Zach Dionne Posted Nov 16th 2010 10:07AM

Beatles on iTunes: Announcement to Come Today

The Beatles are finally coming to iTunes, according to the Wall Street Journal. Apple, after hyping a major announcement for Tuesday, is expected to announce the long-awaited inclusion of the Fab Four's catalog in the world's largest music outlet.

UPDATE: The New York Times reports that a joint announcement by Apple, EMI, and Apple Corps (the Beatles' company) confirmed it -- the band's 13 remastered studio albums, their 'Past Masters' compilation and more are available on iTunes.

"We're really excited to bring the Beatles' music to iTunes," Paul McCartney said in a press release. "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."

Ringo has a simpler take: "I am particularly glad to no longer be asked when the Beatles are coming to iTunes. At last, if you want it -- you can get it now -- The Beatles from Liverpool to now!"

"While the move to digital downloads does not quite rival the band's first trip across the Atlantic to appear on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' in 1964," writes the New York Times, "it is an acknowledgment that online purchases dominate the music industry's sales strategy."

Apple's iTunes opened seven years ago. Tim Bajarin, an analyst with Creative Strategies, tells the Times the acquisition of the Beatles' tunes "is very symbolic because Steve Jobs is a huge fan of the Beatles."

Bajarin adds, "The music itself is a vehicle to allow them to sell more iPods and iPhones, which is where they make real money."