Live Nation to acquire music merchandise co

NEW YORK, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Live Nation Inc (LYV.N), the concert touring company, said on Thursday it would acquire Signatures Network Inc, a music merchandise company, in a deal valued at $79 million in cash, stock and the repayment of debt.

Signatures Network hold merchandise licenses for more than 150 artists, including the Beatles, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand and Justin Timberlake.

The deal is expected to close later this year. (Reporting by Paul Thomasch; Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)