Apple today announced the availability of the entire Beatles catalog in the iTunes Music Store. After years of back and forth negotiations with label EMI, an agreement has finally been reached, ushering the Fab Four into the digital era. The announcement–which slipped almost thirty minutes early–has replaced yesterday’s teaser image on Apple’s homepage, and taken over iTunes’ digital storefront.
The band’s entire discography is available in stereo and is being sold by individual song, album, or an all inclusive box set akin to last year’s remaster collection. Tracks retail for $1.29 a piece–the premium tier of iTunes pricing–and single “disc” albums are priced at $12.99. The eponymous “White Album,” Past Masters Vols 1 & 2, and other traditionally 2 LP albums are available for $19.99 each. The all encompassing box set sells for $149.99. All albums feature bonus iTunes LP content including photos, mini-documentaries, and more.
Though many fans likely already possess a fair portion of the group’s recordings, the catalog’s availability on iTunes marks a new era for the Beatles as well as digital music in general. Much like Led Zeppelin, the Beatles have been notoriously hard to license. Today’s news indicates that the recording industry (read EMI) may finally be adapting to the changing ways music is acquired and enjoyed. If you’ve been waiting to load up that iPhone 4 with the tunes of the Fab Four, then today is your day.