Let It Be: Beatles Still Not Coming to iTunes Tomorrow
by Peter Kafka
Posted on September 8, 2009 at 8:51 AM PT
iPods with cameras? Maybe. iTunes with new features? For sure. iTunes with Beatles? Nope.
I’m sure that Apple (AAPL) will indeed sell the Fab Four’s music via its digital music store one day. But it’s not happening at Apple’s keynote presentation tomorrow.
The Beatles estate, Electronic Arts (ERTS) and Viacom’s (VIA) MTV will be releasing a new version of “Rock Band” that features the band’s songs tomorrow. And on the same day, EMI Music Group will release all of the band’s music on remastered compact discs.
But that’s it, a source familiar with the band’s plans tells me. For now.
UPDATE: Want an on the record source? The Financial Times obliges with a follow-up:
“Conversations between Apple and EMI are ongoing and we look forward to the day when we can make the music available digitally. But it’s not tomorrow,” Ernesto Schmitt, EMI’s global catalog president, told the FT’s Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson.
Beatles-to-iTunes is a story that never goes away. And some day, it will turn out to be true–there’s no good reason for it not to happen. But predictions that it will happen Wednesday have been tied to wafer-thin logic.
Two years ago, the Web was convinced an announcement was in the offing because of the wording of an Apple keynote invitation. This year, even sober-minded publications are noting the timing of Apple’s keynote event and the Rock Band and CD launches, concluding that an iTunes launch makes sense too.
But I’d argue that it makes less sense: If you’re trying to convince people to spend $16.99 for a remastered copy of the White Album or as much as $250 to play along with the band’s ghostly avatars, why offer a competing product from Apple at the same time?
Nor do I see Steve Jobs expressing much interest in coordinating his marketing announcements with the likes of Viacom.
Anyway, if you really want to get the Beatles on the Web, you don’t have to wait for Apple–a quick Google search will do. Or you can head to Google’s (GOOG) YouTube, which is flooded with great clips like this:
Comments
These events are normally held on a Tuesday. But in 2007 it was held on a Wednesday the week of Labor Day. My guess is that’s what’s happening here too.
The event is on a Wednesday because of Labor Day, not because of the Beatles.
An invite with a Stones song for a Beatles announcement? That would be some red herring.
Posted by Brendan Walsh at September 8th, 2009 at 9:56 amWith all due respect …. Labor Day has nothing to do with why this is being held on Wednesday. The Beatles events are purposely held on 9/09/09 as the number 9 is significant in Beatles lore. Revolution 9 ect …
Posted by Kindra Eickelman at September 8th, 2009 at 10:14 amWith all due respect Kindra, Apple has released iPods every year in early September for a while. On Tuesdays. Except 2007 when it was the week of Labor Day. I know all about the 9s and the other releases tomorrow. I don’t see Apple piling on to a release other companies are already into.
We’ll know tomorrow who was right. I’ll be sure to gloat here if it’s me.
Posted by Brendan Walsh at September 8th, 2009 at 12:39 pmThey’ve only had consecutive September releases since 2006. That makes 3 years. If 1 of 3 was on a Wednesday and it happened to be a Labor day week, I wouldn’t call it statistically relevant.
Posted by Andrew Jensenbergerton at September 8th, 2009 at 9:05 pmStill in the air obviously. My guess is that they will release the catalog.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10347238-93.html
Brendan , so sorry. I misunderstood your post … I read it too quickly. I was lumping all things Beatles together for today. My apologies ….
Posted by Kindra Eickelman at September 9th, 2009 at 8:12 amNo need to apologize Kindra.
Posted by Brendan Walsh at September 9th, 2009 at 11:13 am