Pophouse Entertainment, the Swedish company co-founded by ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus, has acquired Tina Turner's name, image and likeness rights along with a majority share of her music catalogue. The deal was struck with BMG, which retains a percentage of the catalogue.
The acquisition, announced on Thursday, aims to preserve and expand the legacy of the Queen of Rock and Roll, who died in 2023 at age 83. Turner's career spanned decades, producing hits such as 'What's Love Got to Do With It', 'The Best' and 'Proud Mary'. She won 12 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, and sold over 150 million records worldwide.
Alistair Norbury, president of BMG UK, Continental Europe and APAC, stated: 'Tina Turner’s voice and spirit shaped modern music and popular culture. Our responsibility, alongside Pophouse and the Estate, is to ensure her work continues to resonate with audiences around the world, while remaining true to the strength, independence and originality that defined her career.' BMG confirmed that Turner's estate was informed and participated in the conversations but was not a direct negotiating party.
Pophouse is known for its digital avatar productions, including the ABBA Voyage show in London and a partnership with KISS, whose catalogue and brand were acquired in 2024 for an estimated $300 million. The avatar technology is developed with Industrial Light and Magic, George Lucas's special-effects company.
