Are The Beatles on iTunes Really a Big Deal?

Capitol Records and Apple announced on Tuesday that The Beatles' catalog of music will be available for download on Apple's iTunes service. While the story has grabbed headlines around the world, is it really that big of a deal?  Many would say that the Fab Four's music arrived a bit late to iTunes and that older fans of the band have already taken their Beatles albums and ripped them onto their mp3 players. 

The short answer is: yes, it's a big deal.  Billboard editor Tye Comer says, regardless of that happening, the Beatles coming to iTunes "[is] the biggest news story of the week, of the month, possibly of the year as far as digital music goes."  Comer says that even if you're not a Beatles fan, you might become curious because of all the hoopla and based on that, you may check out the band's catalog.  "The first wave of sales is gonna be pretty huge," says Comer, because the Beatles "have remained one of the biggest-selling catalog bands on the Billboard charts for years."

Comer further points out that another previously untapped audience may now checkout the Fab Four: namely, younger music fans that are more prone to buy music online instead of at a record store.  Having the band on iTunes allows them to "go for individual songs that they've heard" instead of spending money on a whole album.  Comer adds that younger fans buying the band's music will perpetuate the Beatles legacy.

Finally, Comer feels that The Beatles releasing their catalog to iTunes may prompt other holdouts, such as AC/DC, Kid Rock and Tool, to do the same: "There are a few holdouts that have still held on to the fact that they don't want their music to be released on iTunes....So I think that the fact that The Beatles are finally allowing this to happen, you know, if The Beatles will do it then I think anyone will do it." 

Individual Beatles tracks are retailing for $1.29, whole albums will cost $12.99 and a box set, which houses the band's entire catalog, is offered for $149.

Provided by ABC News Radio © 2010
                   
Image used with permission by Getty Images