While iTunes reaps the publicity from bagging the Beatles, Amazon.com hasn't let itself get left out after reports (such as in the New York Post) that it (along with Google) tried to get the Beatles themselves for download. In fact, they've responded with a virtual "take that!" The single disc Beatles remastered CDs and the Beatles "1" have been whacked down to $7.99 -- just in time for your holiday shopping.
And if you didn't pick up on the Beatles stereo or mono box sets, Amazon has them priced at way under what they were going for last year. Both the Beatles stereo box set and the Beatles mono box set are selling for a mere $129.99. Both were around $250 last year. (And that's cheaper than the almost $150 they're asking for the Beatles box set on iTunes.) And no worry about counterfeits if you buy them directly from Amazon.
On another note, there have been reports that the exclusivity agreement expires at the end of 2011, which we've confirmed. It'll be interesting to see where things go then.
One unanswered question is how the money is being split. The New York Post guesstimates that from each single track download Apple gets $.30, the Beatles $.45, EMI $.45 and SONY/ATV .09.
A quick look at the top 10 best-selling albums on iTunes at 2 a.m. ET Nov. 18 shows "Abbey Road" the highest at No. 6, with the White Album No. 8, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" No. 9 and "1967-1970" No. 10. The Beatles Box Set is No. 11. "Here Comes the Sun" is still the top individual Beatles song at No. 17.
And did anyone notice that the Beatles' iTunes news bumped against the McCartney Apollo Theater news? Was that bad timing or some cagey planning?
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Comments
The old saying goes "when elephants fights, it's the mice that get step on" but not so here..an xmas present from the retail gods. :) This is a no brainer for the fans, do I want a digital copy or a CD..now let me see. :)
Actually, it's more like a "we didn't get what we want, so we'll make money in another way" thing...
Cagey planning on who's part? At this point I think Paul does concerts when they fit his schedule (or Bea's schedule). It is an invite/contest only show anyway. What would he gain by timing his announcement?
More news coverage? The iTunes thing clearly was the story, not his Apollo show, which would have made a good story (his return to New York) had not iTunes happened.
McCartney's news got buried by the iTunes release. Not sure what is cagey. Don't sink to gossipy snarky levels.
when emi and apple going to finsh putting the capitol albums box set. i want the american verson of a hard days night..
when emi and apple going to finsh putting out the capitol albums box set. i want the american verson of a hard days night.. which i never had as a kid.
Because of this, I'm not buying another thing from Apple. They could offer nude pictures of a young Paul and Linda and I won't take it (though I'd be dying for a peek)
Why? Because with the boxed set download, you get their Washington DC concert. I bought both sets a year ago. they are trying to gauge me to get me to buy a third set.
I'm pissed and not biting the bait
The Capitol set is not in the picture at the moment, it appears. Hopefully, that will change.
Hey Steve, any early way to see if this will put The Beatles onto the Billboard 200? I wonder if a bunch of albums will be on like there should have been on 09-09-09, which was before they were eligible.
OK BE-ATLES, I ALREADY BOUGHT MY BOX AT FULL PRICE. NOW I WANT THE WASHINGTON DC CONCERT ON DVD. IF ITS FREE THAT'S FINE, I'VE ALREADY BOUGHT THE GOODTIMES DVD THAT WAS INCOMPLETE. WHAT'S IT GONNA COST ME? HOW ABOUT SHEA, BUDOKAN, ETC.? AND DON'T FORGET LET IT BE.
How about everybody go buy Beatles: Rock Band, if you haven't already! Some stores are selling it for as low as $15 now. If you aren't into the plastic instruments, you can always just sing and use the game as an awesome Beatles karaoke machine! :) guys, the game is really good and deserves more sales than what it got last year.
Good suggestion.
The Beatles: Rock Band game is EXCELLENT.
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