Beatles' Apple Corps Deepens Universal Music Partnership
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- Apple Corps Ltd is expanding its partnership with Universal Music Group, with UMG now taking over the Beatles' physical and digital merchandise, licensing, and e-commerce operations in addition to its existing catalogue management
- Tom Greene, CEO of Apple Corps, said "The Beatles message has never been more relevant or needed in the world today" as he announced the deepened partnership, while Sir Lucian Grainge, UMG Chairman and CEO, called the band "one of the most iconic and enduring cultural brands of all time" and noted the deal builds on 14 years of existing relationships
- The first joint project is "The Beatles at 3 Savile Row," a seven-floor fan experience opening in 2027 at the Mayfair townhouse that housed Apple's offices from June 1968, served as the basement studio for Let It Be, and hosted the band's final public rooftop performance
- The Beatles sold the 3 Savile Row building in 1976 but have since repurchased it for the planned museum, which will display never-before-seen artifacts from Apple's offices plus a recreation of the studio, other exhibitions, and a store
- Sam Mendes is directing "The Beatles – A Four Film Cinematic Event," a biopic set to open in 2028 that marks the first Beatles biopic script to receive Apple's full blessing and include the band's music, unlike the 1995 film Backbeat
- Apple recently made Global Beatles Day (June 25) an official fan-led celebration, launching its involvement by re-releasing the original performance of "All You Need Is Love"
Why it matters: Apple Corps is consolidating its commercial operations under a single major partner as it prepares two flagship 2027-2028 fan projects — a seven-floor museum at 3 Savile Row and Sam Mendes's four-film biopic — that will drive the next wave of Beatles-related revenue. UMG gains expanded control over merchandise, licensing, and e-commerce streams tied to the most lucrative legacy catalogue in music, converting a 14-year catalogue relationship into a full operational partnership.
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