BMG Japan Catalog Now Available on the iTunes Store

Oct
26

By: switchtoamac at: 9:37 AM on October 26, 2006 | Comments (0)

BMG Japan and Apple computer announced today the expansion of content on the Japanese iTunes Store with the addition of the BMG Japan catalog. The addition brings to the store international artists such as:

Alicia Keys
Avril Lavigne
Backstreet Boys
Britney Spears
Christina Aguilera
Foo Fighters
Justin Timberlake
Kasabian
Outkast
Pink
Seamo
Suga Shikao
Sukima Switch
Usher

Daniel DiCicco, EVP and co. general manager of BMG Japan stated the following:

“BMG Japan is delighted to join forces with Apple to make the wealth of our catalogue available through the iTunes Store in Japan"
"We look forward to continuing to drive BMG Japan’s digital development through this very important relationship by connecting the iTunes community to top J-Pop and international artists from BMG Japan."

The Japanese iTunes Store now has a collection of more than two million songs, 3,500 music videos, films from Disney and Pixar, as well as 65,000 podcasts and 16,000 audiobooks. Greater than 90 percent of songs are priced at just 150 yen offering Japan iTunes customers great value and selection. BMG Japan will be adding more content to the iTunes Store in the coming months.

BMG Japan is the wholly owned music entertainment company operated by SONY BMG Music Entertainment in Japan.

Ok so we have Sony, one of the most respected electronics companies based out of Japan agreeing to put songs from it's BMG Japan subsidiary on the Japanese iTunes Store. Sony has made several unsuccessful attempts to take on the iPod by releasing several MP3 player models. With the addition of the BMG Japan catalog, it's a clear sign that Sony is acknowledging the viability of the iPod and iTunes Store in Japan.

Expanded content, an ever growing selection, and greater awareness continue to expand the Apple brand across the world. For Apple and BMG Japan to reach this agreement is a clear sign that Apple's popularity is on the rise. I expect to see Apple gain a larger footprint in Asia with the eventual outcome being more Mac sales in the region.