Universal Music Group (UMG) and Apple Corps have unveiled a new exclusive, long-term global partnership that will expand how The Beatles’ brand is managed and presented to fans around the world.
Under the agreement, UMG will oversee worldwide physical and digital merchandise, licensing and e-commerce for the band, strengthening the company’s existing role stewarding The Beatles’ catalogue. The deal marks a significant new chapter in the relationship between Apple Corps – founded in 1968 to oversee the group’s creative and business interests – and UMG.
UMG chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge said the partnership reflects the band’s unmatched cultural impact
He said: “The Beatles embody music’s power to change the world, and that influence makes them one of the most iconic and enduring cultural brands of all time.
“We’re grateful for Apple Corps’ trust as we deepen our global partnership, while protecting and growing The Beatles’ legacy through authentic fan experiences worthy of their artistry.
“As a lifelong Beatles fan, building on the relationships forged over the past 14 years is one of the great highlights of my career.”
On June 25, Global Beatles Day was celebrated with the release of a newly colourised version of their 1967 BBC Our World performance of All You Need Is Love, which was made available on YouTube for the first time.
Apple Corps formally acknowledged the fan-created celebration, which was launched in 2009 by lifelong fan Faith Cohen. The annual event encourages fans around the world to honour the band’s music and message.
Apple Corps CEO Tom Greene praised the initiative in a message to Cohen, writing: “More than ever, the message of The Beatles, and of ‘All You Need Is Love’ speaks to something vital for community, connection, and the power of bringing people together.”
The colourised performance premiered alongside in-person and online fan events taking place globally.
Global Beatles Day has grown into an international celebration, with concerts, exhibitions and gatherings held in cities including Tokyo, New York, Buenos Aires and Liverpool.
The Beatles’ cultural influence continues to expand. It was also recently revealed that 3 Savile Row, the site of the band’s rooftop concert, will become the first official Beatles fan experience when it opens in 2027.
A four-film Beatles project, directed by Sam Mendes and starring Harris Dickinson, Barry Keoghan, Paul Mescal and Joseph Quinn, is scheduled for release in April 2028.
It marks the first time Apple Corps has granted full life-story and music rights for a scripted production.
