Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / ENTERTAINMENT
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

09:46 GMT, Monday, 31 March 2008 10:46 UK

U2 sign 12-year Live Nation deal

U2

Irish rockers U2 have signed a 12-year deal with concert promoter Live Nation to handle the band's merchandising, digital and branding rights.

The deal follows the ground-breaking recording and touring contract Madonna signed with the company last year.

U2, however, will continue to release records through Universal Music.

"We've been dating for over 20 years now," said singer Bono. "It's about time we tied the knot." Live Nation has managed U2's tours since 1980.

Financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.

Madonna's deal with Live Nation, which brings to an end to her 25-year relationship with Warner Music, has been reported to be worth $120m (£60m) over 10 years.

'Great extension'

"U2 has created some of the greatest rock music of all time," said Live Nation chairman Michael Cohl.

"It has long been our intention to consolidate and extend our relationship."

Madonna Live Nation will continue to manage U2's tours and collaborate with the band on its official website.

"We feel we've got a great website but we want to make it a lot better," said Bono.

"U2 are doing their best work right now, on record and in concert," said the band's manager Paul McGuinness.

"The opportunity to integrate U2 and Live Nation's vision of the future is a great extension of our established business."

With the decline in CD sales across the globe, artists are increasingly looking at so-called "360 degree deals" that combine their recording, publishing and touring revenues.




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
U2 see themselves in 3D concert (21 Jan 08 |  Entertainment )
Madonna signs radical record deal (16 Oct 07 |  Entertainment )
Madonna 'to leave record label' (12 Oct 07 |  Entertainment )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
U2
Live Nation
Madonna
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©