U2's "Songs of Innocence", which Apple distributed for free, turned out to be a major success in terms of profitability

Ireland's rock band U2's new album "Songs of Innocence" was delivered to 500 million iTunes users free of charge, complaints frequently occurred as it can not be deleted, so Apple immediately "U2's Album Delete ToolAlthough there was a problem such as announcing it, it turned out that it brought an amazing number of 26 million downloads worldwide, and brought a lot of profit to Apple and CD company.

U2 Album 'Experienced' by 81 Million iTunes Users | Billboard
http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6274359/itunes-numbers-u2-songs-innocence-album

Apple's Eddy Cue senior vice president says about this campaign, "Since" Songs of Innocence "started free distribution on September 9, 2014, it has recorded 26 million downloads worldwide and iTunes · iTunes Radio · Beats Music Over 81 million people touched the work through the work, and U2's album sales sold since the opening of the iTunes Store in 2003 is 14 million copies. " U2 also said in a statement in Billboard, "Apple is a high-tech company where musicians fight to earn income, it is truly amazing to deliver albums for free so that many people can listen to the songs, thanks as a band I am doing it. "

U2's "Songs of Innocence" can also be watched on YouTube.

▶ U2 - Songs Of Innocence [Deluxe Edition] Full Album 2014 + Mp3 Download - YouTube


While there were many free viewers, the CD version including 10 song bonus tracks not included in the version freely distributed by Apple recorded sales of only 70,000 books. Despite the fact that the free version was delivered a month ago, CD sales companies are surprised by the fact that sales of CDs are good. In the past case, the American rapper "JAY-Z" was released in July 2013Magna Carta Holy Grail"When releasing Samsung's limited offer for Galaxy, we made a previous release ahead of schedule five days ahead of schedule, but the album that was released afterwards recorded 528,000 sales in the first week. In addition, Beyonce, the wife of JAY-Z, released a new album on the iTuens Store precedent, and recorded sales of 374,000 copies. However, retailers such as Amazon and the large supermarket "Target" have raised protest voices as "CD version release is behind the download version".

ByJD Lewin

According to the estimate that Billboard magazine flickered based on the number of "26 million downloads", a profit of 100 million dollars (about 10.8 billion yen) was generated from the whole campaign which Apple this time carried out, and according to the estimate of universal music It is estimated that the profit of 52 million dollars (about 5.2 billion yen), royalty revenue of about 5 million dollars (about 500 million yen) is on the U 2 side. Apple and U2 refuse to comment on this subject.

The release of the album by U2 has been successful with both digital and CD, but even more interesting is that the record version sold only at some stores to meet the Grammy awards is $ 1500 auction site ebay It is a fact that it is resold at about (162,000 yen). Prior releases in digital and free distribution have been regarded as inconvenient for retailers of CDs, but it seems that they can not say that they can not say that they are honest when they see the successful example of U2 this time.