The Biz: UMG’s Beatles Deal; LN Settles Luke Bryan Concert Case; Ticketmaster/Gemini Partnership

Apple Corps Ltd. — which has overseen The Beatles’ business interests since 1968 — continues its aggressive business moves ahead of the release of the Fab Four’s biopics in 2028, signing an exclusive long-term deal with Universal Music Group, giving UMG global rights to physical and electronic merchandise for the band. UMG has held The Beatles’ music catalog since 2012 and its subsidiary Bravado has handled Beatles merch in North America since 2022.

“We are delighted to partner with UMG on a new global merchandising deal,” Tom Greene, CEO of Apple Corps Ltd, said. “There has never been a more exciting time to work on The Beatles as we look ahead to the 3 Savile 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.”

Greene is just the third CEO of Apple in its nearly 60-year history and has been extremely aggressive with the valuable property, inking the deal that led to the four-pack of biopics due in spring 2028 along with the release of Anthology 4 and the Anthology collection in 2025, which was followed by a restored version of the Anthology docuseries on Disney+. Earlier this year, Apple announced that 3 Savile Row — site of the band’s iconic final performance — will be opened as an attraction.

Live Nation Settles Suit Stemming From Injury At Luke Bryan Concert

According to a filing in a federal court in Connecticut, Live Nation has settled with a fan who had sued the promoter for negligence following a traumatic brain injury sustained at a 2022 Luke Bryan concert at Hartford’s Xfinity Theater.

As is usual, the terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Live Nation made no admission of liability.

Gary Stanhope filed suit, saying he was injured while stepping into an altercation between a man and a woman that went on for up to three minutes before security arrived. Stanhope alleged Live Nation failed to provide adequate security at the venue, which has since been renamed The Meadows Music Theatre.

Live Nation said it had hired 116 security personnel and retained another 16 Hartford police officers, which exceeds standards set by the National Fire Protection Association. The company said Stanhope’s injuries were the result of a third party and “unforeseeable.” The company further alleged that Stanhope had difficulty remembering the circumstances of the altercation and had been drinking. The judge denied Live Nation’s motion for summary judgment.

Ticketmaster Integrates With Gemini

Ticketmaster announced an app integration with Google AI chatbot Gemini.

Fans searching for tickets and other information on live events can type @ticketmaster to activate the integration and will then be directed to Ticketmaster for purchase.

Examples of prompts include “What concerts are happening in Chicago this weekend?” and “Find me two tickets to a football match under $150.”

Tickemaster CEO Saumil Mehta previewed the tools during a Pollstar Live! keynote address earlier this year.,