London, England – Sony Music has secured a deal worth over $1 billion to acquire the music catalog of legendary British rock band Queen, making it one of the most expensive music catalog sales in history. The deal, which excludes revenue from live performances, was confirmed by multiple sources and is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
Other potential buyers had offered up to $900 million for Queen’s catalog but were outbid by Sony Music. The acquisition means that Sony will now receive royalties that were previously paid to Queen members under a deal with Hollywood Records.
Hollywood Records, a label of the Disney Music Group, currently holds the rights to Queen’s recorded music catalog in the United States and Canada. Despite the acquisition by Sony, Disney Music Group will retain the band’s North American rights indefinitely.
Universal Music Group currently holds worldwide licensing rights to Hollywood Records’ Queen catalog, but those rights are set to transfer to Sony once the licensing agreement expires in 2026 or 2027.
Queen, formed in 1970, is renowned for hits such as “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Don’t Stop Me Now,” and “We Are The Champions.” The band’s popularity surged in 2019 following the release of the biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” which won multiple Academy Awards.
The acquisition of Queen’s music catalog by Sony Music further solidifies the band’s legacy as one of the best-selling and most iconic rock acts of all time. With their music continuing to resonate with audiences worldwide, Queen’s influence on the music industry remains enduring and profound.