Disney sings praises of Apple iTunes

Walt Disney Records has signed a deal with Apple, giving the iTunes Music Store exclusive digital distribution rights until 30 September.

Soundtracks from Disney's classic animated films and Disney/Pixar's computer-animated films will feature in a 'Disney' genre page within the iTunes Music Store.

It will include soundtracks from animated films such as Alice in Wonderland, Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, Snow White, The Little Mermaid and Disney/Pixar's Toy Story movies, A Bug's Life, Monsters, Inc. and Finding Nemo.

The area of the website will also list Disney audio storytellers, theatrical cast recordings and music from up-and-coming stars Raven and Jesse McCartney.

Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive, said in a statement: "This exclusive access to the classic songs from films like The Lion King, Toy Story and Mary Poppins, to name just a few, is going to make many of our iTunes users very happy."

"We are proud to offer a way for customers to easily own the classic and contemporary Disney music they know and love," added David Agnew, executive vice president and general manager of the Buena Vista Music Group, which oversees Walt Disney Records.

"We chose to deliver our digital music catalogue exclusively on iTunes because it is the leading global online music store," he said in a statement.