Beatles tunes to be available via streaming

The Beatles

By Yun Suh-young

The legendary music of the Beatles will be available through streaming on Korean music websites starting Feb. 29, a local music distributor said Monday.

"Starting Feb. 29, the streaming and download services for the Beatles tunes will be made available via 10 local online music providers who will offer the services in both online PC versions and for the mobile web," Universal Music Korea announced Monday.

With the new service, fans can download and use streaming services for Beatles' albums, from the group's debut album "Please Please Me" (1963) to "Let It Be" (1970) to compilations of their hit songs. The group has a total of 17 albums including 13 regular albums which will all be available starting next Monday.

Local music distributors offering the streaming service include MelOn, Naver Music, Genie, Bugs, Mnet, Soribada, Milk Music, Kakao Music and Groovers.

The music was opened to the public after a decision made last Dec. 24 by Apple Records which holds the rights to the Beatles' songs and Universal Music which took over the non-classical sector from EMI. Following the joint decision, the group's songs were made available on global music streaming websites such as Apple Music and Spotify.

Korea had been excluded from the service due to unsuccessful negotiations regarding royalty distribution but due to the recently concluded contract, the service will soon be available to fans in Korea.