The most recent episode of Mad Men had a very cool ending anchored by the Beatles song, “Tomorrow Never Knows.”

Evidently, it was no cheap decision for Matt Weiner.

The New York Times spoke to Weiner by phone after the episode aired to discuss the decision and why he chose the song:

“It was always my feeling that the show lacked a certain authenticity because we never could have an actual master recording of the Beatles performing,” Matthew Weiner, the creator and show runner of “Mad Men,” said in a telephone interview on Monday. “Not just someone singing their song or a version of their song, but them, doing a song in the show. It always felt to me like a flaw. Because they are the band, probably, of the 20th century.”

As with most transactions that involve the Beatles, that usage did not come cheap. According to two people briefed on the deal, who were not authorized to speak about it, Lionsgate, the studio that produces “Mad Men,” paid about $250,000 for the recording and publishing rights to the song. That is an appropriately high price, several music and advertising executives say, since many major pop songs can be licensed for less than $100,000.

Mr. Weiner declined to discuss the licensing costs, but said: “Whatever people think, this is not about money. It never is. They are concerned about their legacy and their artistic impact.”

Covers of Beatles songs turn up in various media, but the band’s own recordings are rarely heard on television or in films. The surviving Beatles and their heirs are known to be very picky licensors, turning down almost every request.

Later on in the interview, Weiner admits that he had to hand over his script to the Beatles’ owners so they could review the idea of granting song licensing.

Do you think it was a good choice by the Beatles and AMC?