American Idol Performances Available Exclusively iTunes; BBC Shows Available To UK Customers
February 18th, 2008

Apple today announced that it has partnered with Fox to bring music fans American Idol performances from season seven of television’s most popular show exclusively on the iTunes Store. Kicking off with the American Idol Top 24 semifinalists this week, customers can purchase music performances for 99 cents per song, and viewers will be able to purchase the full video of Top 12 finalist performances for US$1.99, starting March 11. In addition, beginning today, fans can pre-order performances of their favorite contestants from the iTunes Store, which will be automatically downloaded the day after the show airs.

“We have some truly outstanding talent this year, and by working with Apple and iTunes, we’re giving viewers another great way to enjoy America’s brightest new stars from ‘Idol,’” said Simon Fuller, creator of American Idol and Founder of 19 Entertainment. “I’m sure there will be many memorable performances that viewers will want to relive from this 2008 season.”

“We’ve created a special section on the iTunes Store for ‘Idol’ fans with an incredible array of music and video performances from television’s most popular show,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes. “We think ‘American Idol’ viewers are going to love the ability to purchase and download ‘Idol’ performances from iTunes.”

iTunes will also provide exclusive direct links from the free streaming performance videos on americanidol.com, the official website of the show and home to MyIdol, the internet’s largest American Idol fan site. Fans will be able to simply click through to iTunes if they want to purchase their favorite performances to own and enjoy on their iPod, iPhone or Apple TV.

Additionally, Apple has made available some of the best TV programmes from BBC Worldwide to UK iTunes customers. The most recent series of Robin Hood, Life On Mars, The Catherine Tate Show, Little Britain and Spooks can be purchased for £1.89 per episode; while the latest episodes of Ashes to Ashes, Torchwood and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps will be available for for purchase and download eight days after they are screened on TV.

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