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Apple Rolling Out iTunes Store Music and Movies in Twelve New Asian Countries [Updated]

Tuesday June 26, 2012 12:59 pm PDT by Eric Slivka
Last week, e27 reported that Apple had invited Asian music label representatives to a "launch event" scheduled for tomorrow in Hong Kong, with speculation centering around a launch for iTunes Store music offerings in a number of countries in the region. Rumors have also indicated Jason Mraz will be performing at the launch event as part of the celebration.
We received a tip off from a trusted source in the industry that Apple is planning a secret launch event on 27th June in Hong Kong. The location has not been confirmed, but rumors suggested that the location of the event is close to the airport.

Based on our observations, we noticed a strong showing of Apple executives at the recent Music Matters event in Singapore. Our source has also mentioned that a good number of Asian music labels are already in talks with Apple. If that is not enough of an indication that something big is coming to Asia, the tip also indicates that representatives of these labels will be flying over to Hong Kong next week for the supposed Apple launch event.
e27 now follows up with a specific claim that the launch will include not only music but also movies and TV shows and will be going live in seven countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

A review of the localized iTunes Stores for the various countries reveals that movie listings have already gone live, and the navigation bars also contain listings for music, although they are not yet functional. TV shows are not listed as an option in the navigation bar, so it appears that they may not be included in the launch.

Music and movies have been available in roughly 50 countries around the world prior to today's launch, with the most recent expansion coming last December with the addition of 16 Latin American countries.

The App Store has the broadest distribution among Apple's iTunes Store content types, with 155 countries offering apps after last week's expansion. All seven of the Asian markets receiving music and movie access today previously offered apps, podcasts, iTunes U, and free books, but the new content marks substantial additions for customers in those countries.

Update: Apple has issued a press release confirming the launch. The company is launching the iTunes Store in 12 new countries, not 7: Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

[ 57 comments ]


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kyjaotkb
86 months ago
can't believe the iTunes Store didn't exist in HK and Singapore before ! Where the biggest malls full of iPods and iPhones can be found !
Rating: 8 Votes
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gnasher729
86 months ago

Some people are more sensitive than others


Some people are less sensitive than others. And if you have to add "this is not racist" to a post, then everybody knows it is.
Rating: 6 Votes
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pika2000
86 months ago
Great for those countries, but still doesn't change the backwardness of the labels in terms of licensing. Internet means global distribution, yet with this digital online stores, contents are still locked into each countries'/region's stores, where users from outside the market have to jump through hoops to purchase the contents. :rolleyes: It's like they don't want sales. God forbid more people from around the world buying their stuff legally. Ridiculous. And they wonder why people are utilizing the alternative routes.
Rating: 4 Votes
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Santabean2000
86 months ago
Finally! And now perhaps we can (officially) get the ATV!!
Rating: 4 Votes
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kirky29
86 months ago

Great for those countries, but still doesn't change the backwardness of the labels in terms of licensing. Internet means global distribution, yet with this digital online stores, contents are still locked into each countries'/region's stores, where users from outside the market have to jump through hoops to purchase the contents. :rolleyes: It's like they don't want sales. God forbid more people from around the world buying their stuff legally. Ridiculous. And they wonder why people are utilizing the alternative routes.


You are exactly right! We're in this connected world, yet...some places just can't get content.. example, The Simpsons, in the US I could watch them on Hulu or buy them all on iTunes....yet here in the UK they only have a couple of overpriced seasons on iTunes.... or DVD...but who wants DVDs ;)

Wonder why I *sometimes* watch them on streaming sites. If they were on iTunes (maybe for a better price too!) I'd buy them.

I believe people are willing to pay for things, if it's available and not insanely overpriced, certainly when you compare prices to the US.
Rating: 4 Votes
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kirky29
86 months ago

Can anyone buy from foreign iTunes stores, or do we have to live there?


I buy a lot from the American iTunes store (much better content..), I just buy iTunes Vouchers from eBay and enter the code into my separate iTunes US account. - as long as you put in an address for that Country, it should work.
Rating: 2 Votes
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pika2000
86 months ago


I believe people are willing to pay for things, if it's available and not insanely overpriced, certainly when you compare prices to the US.

True. Unlike the propaganda the industry is trying to portray, that everybody are thieves, people are willing to pay for things. I'm in the US, and the situation is not so rosy here either, especially if you want to consume foreign content. Eg. J-Pop. US iTunes actually used to have quite a good selection of J-Pop, and at 99c/$1.29 a track, they are a bargain (vs the cost of import CDs). But few years ago, most of them were all yanked out. It's mind boggling. Basically these labels are telling the fans to go ahead and pirate their content instead. :rolleyes:
Rating: 2 Votes
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sshambles
86 months ago
The PR statement by Apple caught my eye...

"and international artists like ADELE, The Beatles and Jason Mraz."

Adele, sure - she's sold enough records.
The Beatles speak for themselves.
But Jason Mraz... Seriously?
Rating: 2 Votes
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adder7712
86 months ago
Fantastic! I've even spotted some Malaysian artists on iTunes. What I need are Gift Cards. All tracks are DRM-free now right?
Rating: 2 Votes
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geveke
86 months ago

I heard apple is also adding their music social service called Ping Pong Ching Chong Love You Long Time'

Btw that wasn't racist


Yes it was. And stupid.
Rating: 1 Votes

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