Beatles catalogue to be available on MTV franchise

Mumbai, Nov 1 (UNI) Fans of the 'Fab Four' around the world may now be able to enjoy their music in more than one way, as Apple Corps, owner of the Beatles catalogue, and Viacom's MTV Networks signed a deal for the band's music to be used in MTV's fast selling 'Rock Band' franchise.

The Beatles catalogue, that had so far avoided the digital music market, will hit stores in next autumn.

''I think the other shareholders of Apple realised this might be an incredible opportunity for them to enter into the 21st century and give people who might not have grown up knowing who John, Paul, George and Ringo are, the ability to do that,'' Martin Bandier, chief executive of Sony/ATV, which controls the rights to the Beatles' lyrics and music, was quoted as saying in a release issued here yesterday.

Observers feel that the latest MTV deal will provide a platform for Apple Corps to introduce the band's works online and offline and, therefore, it is holding talks with other companies to make available Beatles' music.

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