APPLE CORPS LTD AND UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP ANNOUNCE LANDMARK GLOBAL E-COMMERCE AND MERCHANDISE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE BEATLES

Promotional photograph for The White Album, originally titled The Beatles, in 1968. ©Apple Corps Ltd.

First of its kind long-term partnership will see UMG take The Beatles’ iconic story to fans across generations and around the world

Exclusive, holistic agreement spans digital and physical merchandising, licensing, and e-commerce

New partnership builds on Apple Corps Ltd and UMG’s existing successful collaborative stewardship of the world’s most revered catalogue

London, 19 August 2026 – Apple Corps Ltd, founded in 1968 to oversee The Beatles’ creative and business interests, and Universal Music Group, (UMG), the world’s leading music entertainment company, today announce a new exclusive, long-term, global partnership for The Beatles.

The agreement will see UMG handle worldwide physical and digital merchandise, licensing, and e-commerce on behalf of the band, and builds on UMG’s existing stewardship of The Beatles’ legendary catalogue. The extensive partnership marks a new era of close collaboration between Apple Corps Ltd and UMG.

The Beatles play a hugely significant role in modern popular culture, with groundbreaking, record-setting music that has endured for decades. Their energy, charisma and creativity spawned ‘Beatlemania,’ the original global super-fandom, which to this day sets the standard for true fan connection. They are a legendary music powerhouse that excites and inspires fans across generations and around the world.

This impact on culture is now being turbo-charged by Apple Corps Ltd’s plans to bring The Beatles music to fans across the generations in pioneering, creative manners. Earlier this year Apple Corps Ltd announced the world’s first official fan experience The Beatles at 3 Savile Row. Due to launch in 2027, it will feature seven floors of never-seen-before material from Apple Corps Ltd’s extensive archives, rotating exhibitions, a fan store, and the recreation of the original studio where ‘Let it Be’ was recorded. It will also give fans the opportunity to tread in the bands footsteps as they relive the iconic rooftop concert – immortalised in Peter Jackson’s ‘Get Back’ – on the exact spot it took place. This year Apple Corps Ltd officially recognized 25^th June as Global Beatles Day, the fan initiative set up in 2009 to share The Beatles message: ‘All You Need Is Love’.

All this comes ahead of the anticipated release of ‘The Beatles – A Four Film Cinematic Event’, in 2028 which will bring John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr’s iconic stories to the screen across an unprecedented four major biopic films, directed by Sam Mendes. The project marks the first time Apple Corps Ltd and The Beatles have granted full life story and music rights for a scripted film.

Tom Greene, CEO of Apple Corps Ltd, said: “We are delighted to partner with UMG on a new global merchandising deal. There has never been a more exciting time to work on The Beatles as we look ahead to the 3 Saville Row fan experience in 2027, and our biopic movies in 2028. The Beatles message has never been more relevant or needed in the world today, and we look forward to delighting millions of fans with everything we have planned.”

Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group 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.”

Dickon Stainer, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group UK said: “The Beatles continue to play an unmatched role in putting UK music front and centre on the global stage. This new agreement with Apple Corps will ensure audiences across the world are opened up to their unique genius.”

Home to the famous Abbey Road Studios where The Beatles recorded 190 of their 211 tracks, UMG has a long-standing relationship with the band. UMG is steward of The Beatles’ much-loved catalogue, which includes some of the most celebrated albums of all time such as Abbey Road and Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Adding UMG’s world-leading licensing and merchandising capabilities to the partnership creates more opportunities for innovation and will help take the story of one of the world’s most influential and celebrated bands to new and existing fans around the world.

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About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group exists to shape culture through the power of artistry. UMG is the world leader in music-based entertainment, with a broad array of businesses engaged in recorded music, music publishing, merchandising and audiovisual content. Featuring the most comprehensive catalogue of recordings and songs across every musical genre, UMG identifies and develops artists and produces and distributes the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful music in the world. Committed to artistry, innovation and entrepreneurship, UMG fosters the development of services, platforms and business models in order to broaden artistic and commercial opportunities for our artists and create new experiences for fans. For more information, visit www.universalmusic.com.