Billboard.biz is carrying a now widespread report that the Beatles' deal with iTunes was configured to give them a more lucrative deal than is usually the case, with payments going to them more directly. Rolling Stone has their version of the story as well. Both stories have information from anonymous industry sources.
Honestly, though, who isn't surprised that the Beatles came out better in this deal than anyone else would have? More importantly, assuming this whole thing is true, the "direct route" payment idea could be the answer to the question of what kept the Beatles from getting to iTunes in the first place.
Either way, there has been mixed feelings on the iTunes arrival among Beatles fans. In terms of hardcore fans, it means little. The iTunes debut was for the masses. There were a lot of people who wanted them there and who are glad they are now.
What will be interesting is how it affects Beatles physical CD sales over the next year -- and where it leaves the brick-and-mortar CD stores, some of whom probably did not need another reason to keep customers away from stores. After our initial check with stores after the Beatles' debut on iTunes, it'll be interesting to see what happens next.
Have a comment? Leave it below. And be sure to subscribe. You won't want to miss any of our Examiner.com columns. We have new stories and reviews with fresh, original news on at least one of these columns every day --
Beatles Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/x-2082-Beatles-Examiner
Paul McCartney Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/x-34954-Paul-McCartney-Examiner
Vintage Rock 'n' Roll Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/x-19248-Vintage-Rock-n-Roll-Examiner
TV on DVD Examiner: http://www.examiner.com/x-10254-TV-on-DVD-Examiner
Please join us on Twitter: @stevemarinucci (RT's are much appreciated!)
Add us as a friend on our Beatles Examiner page on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beatles-Examiner/372042379525
Make us a favorite here on Examiner.com.
Get our free Beatle news widget: http://tinyurl.com/2dan6jx
Get our complete Examiner news widget: http://tinyurl.com/275ge6w
© COPYRIGHT STATEMENT: This article is the original work of Steve Marinucci. Under no circumstance may any portion of this article be broadcast, copied, published, rewritten or used without the permission of the author. To purchase this or any other article by Steve Marinucci, please email beatlesexaminer@gmail.com.
Comments
DId you hear that Heather Mills claims she was responsable for the deal? Strange strange stuff
How scandalous - The Beatles/Apple negotiating a deal to their benefit! Stop the presses Billboard!
When you think about it, this deal was probably made a long time ago. First, the Beatles camp (and most likely Apple) knew the remasters were on the way every time the rumors surfaced over the years. Second, the eventual itunes debut date allowed for the remastered CD's to be on the market for more than a year, so the itunes sales wouldn't cut into the CD sales. Third, it would have taken some time to put together the marketing campaign for the itunes release.
iTunes sucked. Nothin' new.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!