Beatles Downloads Row

Beatles fans excited by recent news that a Norwegian firm had struck a deal to bring the band's music to the internet have been left disappointed after the firm were forced to remove their podcasts from the internet.

Originally broadcast in 2001 by the Norwegian broadcasting company NRK, the podcasts had lain dormant for years until a new deal was struck with music rights holders TONO. The podcasts contains spoken word information in Norwegian alongside tracks by the Fab Four.

According to NRK once all the podcasts have been re-released the Beatles entire back catalogue will be available to download. The firm are able to do this as the broadcasts feature over 30% spoken word content, an important part of the deal NRK made with TONO.

The firm's website will then be the only place on the internet where the Beatles' music can be downloaded. Currently, the legendary band's music is not available on iTunes due to faltering negotiations.

UPDATE

It has now emerged that the deal between NRK and TONO has fallen through, leading to the Beatles music being removed from every one of the available podcasts. IFPI, the company who owns the rights to The Beatles' songs, has said NRK doesn't have permission to include the songs on the podcasts.