TPTB will be partnering with iTunes to offer American Idol performances:
Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox Interactive Media, 19 Entertainment, FremantleMedia and Apple(R), for the first time, have partnered to bring music fans all of the contestant performances from Season Seven of television’s most popular show exclusively on the iTunes(R) 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 $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.
Last year, the downloads started with the Top 12 and were hosted exclusively on the americanidol.com site until after the competition was finished. The songs were available at iTunes post-finale.
I love having full, studio recorded versions of Idol performances. I’m glad the downloads are being offered starting with the Top 24.
Friendly reminder: If you purchase the downloads, it would be awfully cool if you could use one of the banners or links on my site. okthnxg’bye.
Related Posts
The producers are getting smarter and smarter.
Almost every week, some song gets a boost on iTunes because somebody performed it on Idol. Every week, fans rip versions of the songs from the TV show. Many of those fans would be happy to buy a properly recorded version of that song.
I know they had the songs available on the AI site before, but many people are more likely to buy from iTunes (more people already have accounts there and are used to buying songs there).
Plus, I hope this means a few more pennies in the pockets for the Idols (especially for those that get the boot early).
Thanks for the reminder about the links from your website MJ. I knew you had the Amazon one, but didn’t realize you also had iTunes. I hate MSN, but purchased all of Phil’s music through them last year — part of what sold me on his beautiful voice. Sooooo glad they got rid of MSN this year.
MJ,
So does this mean that every week, you will be able to get download numbers for each contestant?
This would be an awesome way to compare how well an Idol does in the “real world” as compared to how they place on Idol. That is, if they’re released - it might be a way to keep Idol honest.
Snuffles — “keep Idol honest”, BWAH!!!!!!
I find it’s so much easier on my psyche if I just admit up front TPTB are going to play with us in ways we can’t imagine…
Man I would’ve killed to get Elliott’s Somebody to Love! Darn it! I wish we had this a couple of seasons ago!
MJ- If there’s a song/cd/video that I purchase from iTunes, I always use your links. Gotta support my girl!!! :)
Will the audio recordings put on iTunes be the version done on the show or a studio recording?
prime - I’m pretty sure they’re studio and the full length version of the song. At least that’s how I heard they did it last year when they were made available for download.
I loved that they did this last year. As someone who has separate folders for each Idol Season with their live performances last year I just bought their studio recordings. Does anyone know if these will also be available through the American Idol store as opposed to itunes. I still haven’t brought myself up to getting an account at itunes and I would much rather buy them through the Idol store then any other way.
You and me both!!! Oh to have some of those early performances of several of the S5 (and earlier seasons, too!) Idols besides ripped mp3’s from the program itself.
Example: I don’t care what anyone says. I LOVED Taylor’s version of “Just Once” and would love to have a complete recording of it.
Ladybug and Lu,
I have it! I’m pretty sure I have everything that Elliot did on the show. I even have his audition and Hollywood week. I’m not sure how I would get it to you but head on over to my blog (click my name above) and leave me your info. If know of a website I can upload them to, let me know. In the meantime, I’ll try to think of something.
-K
KristiVA. I actually have the ones I want. They are mp3 rips from the show. I know I (and think Lu was, too) was talking about ones without audience noise etc. I assume the ones that could be bought last year were studio recordings? I didn’t buy any since I was not interested in any of them.
But thank you for the offer!
I bought several of the studio mp3 versions last season and they were great. I love that they’ll be on iTunes and will remember to link them through here.
Kristi - Yes. I was talking about the studio recordings. I have all of my man Elliott’s performances on the iPod. Although Taylor fans -if you can point me to where I can get some of Taylor’s songs from the show, I’d be very grateful. I’d love to have some of Chirs’s too - especially Higher Ground. And if anyone knows where I can get a good recording of the Chris/Elliott duet, that would be great. Thanks again Kristi for your sweet offer!!! :)
I only bought one studio recording last year, but I can see myself buying more if they’re on iTunes.
The videos for $1.99? No way. I don’t know how they’ll keep them off of youtube, Go Fish, Vimeo, etc.
Lu - This should have all of Taylor’s performances videos from AI
\http://www.tay-online.com/AI5TV.htm
MJ - how do I email you? I’m trying to add your site to my website for RSS feed and it says the feed is not working.