From uncut.co.uk:

An archive Beatles ITN news documentary from 1966 has been made available for video download through digital company Wippit.

The 23 minute documentary was only ever aired once in the UK and featured the Beatles' controversial tour of the US in 1966, which followed the interview that Lennon gave claiming that the group were 'more popular than Jesus Christ.'

The programme shows Lennon defending himself for the comments he had made five months earlier and making something of an apology.

Highlights of the rare footage are the one on one interviews with the man who first brought the issue to the attention of American Christians, DJ Tommy Charles from radio station WAQI in Birmingham, Alabama and the Imperial Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, Robert Shelton.

Shelton challenged if it was their views on civil rights and colour that really irked him most claimed that due to their ‘mopheads’ he couldn’t even identify if they were ‘white or black’.

Paul Myers, CEO and founder of Wippit says, "It’s a stunning insight into the psyche of the time. The Beatles are unarguably the most popular act in music history and this engaging documentary demonstrates how culturally important they had become too.”

ITN’s head of music partnerships Ross Landau said: “The Beatles across America is one of ITN’s oldest documentaries filmed for the Roving Report strand. It was only aired once and captures the band at the pinnacle and most controversial period of their career in the USA”.

The Beatles Across America is available for video download in all territories except North America for GBP 4.99 from Wippit here.

I don't know about a stunning insight into the psyche of the time. I mean, the psyche of the time for those in certain states DOWN SOUTH. It's a small represenataion of the psyche of the time. But yeah, if they mean in showing how important the Beatles were at the time, that's true. I guess.

Why is it not available in North America?!?!

I saw this! Or at least the parts you mention. I wish I could remember where.

Anyway, yes, it's very revealing when Shelton drags out his number 1 insult, claiming he can't tell "if they were ‘white or black’." As Sandra points out, that was a common view in the southern states (where I spent my teens; unfortunately, it's still in fashion there for a good subset of people). People from the North like myself just look at these bigots as if they're growing a second head--or mock them, which I occasionally did. Ah, the memories! By the time I was in high school, long hair was common among many of the boys, and the number 1 insult was "Are you a boy or a girl?" Although I think the Beatles had that one leveled at them as well.

Really interesting story about culture clash. Or, as I tend to view it, entrenched views opposing the new. I read the complete Maureen Cleave article that quoted John, and I have to say, I think the Brits had the right take on it. "That's just John espousing a point of view. No big deal." I have to notice the world didn't end because he had an opinion. Let's hear it for free speech!