iTunes Music Store Downloads Surpass 300 Million

CUPERTINO, California—March 2, 2005—Apple® today announced that music fans have purchased and downloaded more than 300 million songs from the iTunes® Music Store. Additionally, the benefit single “Across the Universe,” available exclusively on the iTunes Music Store, debuted as number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart making it the most successful exclusive digital track ever in its first week of release.

“We’re honored to offer “Across the Universe” exclusively on the iTunes Music Store with all proceeds going to tsunami survivors and their families,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of Applications.

The iTunes Music Store features more than one million songs and continues to add great music in all categories, including this week’s addition of classic live recordings from the Grateful Dead—the two-track “Dick's Picks” series and the multi-track “Vault” series —and an exclusive version of Jack Johnson's new album "In Between Dreams" which includes a digital booklet.

With Apple’s legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as iMix playlist sharing, seamless integration with iPod® and groundbreaking personal use rights, the iTunes Music Store is the best way for Mac® and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music online. The iTunes Music Store features more than one million songs from the major music companies and 600 independent record labels, over 9,000 audiobooks, gift certificates and exclusive music not found anywhere else online.