Skip to main content

U2’s free iTunes album giveaway hit two million downloads

Since its Tuesday release during Apple’s press event, U2’s free album giveaway has reportedly reached 2 million downloads. Recode reported the numbers today but didn’t clarify if the two million downloads included those iOS devices and Macs automatically setup to download purchased content.

That’s 2 million of the approximately 500 million people with access to the free album through either an iTunes download or streaming on iTunes Radio and Beats Music.

Earlier today we noted that Apple reportedly paid U2 and its label an undisclosed royalty fee in addition to committing to a $100 million ad campaign as part of the partnership. The band also has plans to continue working with Apple on other music related projects.

As noted by Recode, the album’s release has also put a lot of U2’s back catalogue (conveniently on sale) into the top charts on iTunes: The music industry always expects new releases to spur the sales of old albums, but in this case iTunes buyers seem particularly receptive: Right now there are 17 old U2 albums on iTunes top 100 chart; a remastered version of “The Joshua Tree,” the band’s 1987 release, is at the No. 12 spot.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel

Comments

  1. I think the album is quite good by the way.

  2. Joe Public - 10 years ago

    “Songs of Innocence” – the most deleted album in history. That should qualify it for an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.

    • Tim Jr. - 10 years ago

      Not sure how it would be the most deleted. Considering it didn’t get downloaded unless you went into purchases and .. you know.. downloaded it JUST to delete it.

  3. TechPeeve (@TechPeeve) - 10 years ago

    a lot less than 500 million they were bragging about and considering the album was auto-downloaded to many people like me that don’t give a shit for U2, hardly counts towards a 2 million album release. Maybe you should compare it to albums that are illegally downloaded and see how the numbers compare?

  4. Wes - 10 years ago

    Still waiting to be able to download it :-/

    • kevicosuave - 10 years ago

      In iTunes, go to the iTunes Store. On the home page, go to Purchased (on the right column under Quick Links). Go to Music, and then you can download it.

      • Wes - 10 years ago

        This finally became available to me this morning. Presumably they had to stagger it a bit. Unfortunate that so many people who didn’t want it got it before me.

  5. Taste_of_Apple - 10 years ago

    While I understood the issue some people had, I personally didn’t mind the gesture. I saw it as more of a free album rather than spam.

    • Some Dude in NC - 10 years ago

      Yeah. I didn’t really have any desire to read Winnie the Pooh either, but I didn’t mind it being in my iBooks account. U2 is the Winnie the Pooh of the Music app now.

Author

Avatar for Jordan Kahn Jordan Kahn

Jordan writes about all things Apple as Senior Editor of 9to5Mac, & contributes to 9to5Google, 9to5Toys, & Electrek.co. He also co-authors 9to5Mac’s Logic Pros series.


Manage push notifications

notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications
notification icon
We would like to show you notifications for the latest news and updates.
notification icon
You are subscribed to notifications