Apple 'To Announce Long-Awaited Beatles iTunes Deal'

Apple has secured the rights to sell The Beatles back-catalogue via its iTunes music store, according to reports.

The company is due to make an “exciting announcement” regarding its digital platform tomorrow (November 16) at 3pm (GMT).

The Wall Street Journal reports that Apple was in talks with representatives from The Beatles and their record label EMI last week.

Spokespeople for each party have refused to comment.

But people familiar with the talks have hinted that tomorrow’s announcement will mark The Beatles’ introduction to the digital age.

Until now, the Liverpool band have been one of the few groups to refuse to allow their music to be sold online.

In August, John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono told Beatles fans not to hold “your breath” over the band's music appearing on iTunes.

The Beatles' music rights are owned by Apple Corps, which until 2007 was locked in a copyright case with Apple over its name.

In a message on their website, Apple said: “Tomorrow is just another day. That you’ll never forget.”

Terms of the reported deal are not clear.