Sony Music Publishing Acquires Hipgnosis Songs Group

Bertelsmann and Great Mountain Partners Combine BMG and Concord

April 28, 2026

Media & Entertainment

BMG and Concord agreed to combine their music publishing, recorded music, theatrical rights, and digital distribution businesses under the BMG name. Bertelsmann will own approximately 67% of the combined company, while affiliates of Great Mountain Partners will own approximately 33%; the combination was later reported as completed.

Sony Acquires 2.5% Stake in Bandai Namco Holdings

July 31, 2025

Media & Entertainment

Sony Group Corporation agreed to buy 16 million shares of Bandai Namco Holdings for about ¥68 billion (roughly $430 million), taking a 2.5% stake in the company. The investment formalizes a strategic alliance to expand global fan communities and develop IP-driven experiences across gaming, anime and music.

Sony Music Masterworks Acquires Majority Stake in Black Sky Creative

August 13, 2024

Media & Entertainment

Sony Music Masterworks, a division of Sony Music Entertainment, has acquired a majority stake in Los Angeles-based Black Sky Creative, an experiential production and design company that produces immersive entertainment, experiential retail and live experiences. Black Sky's founder Jeff Delson and partners will continue to run day-to-day operations and will collaborate with Masterworks to scale experiential properties across music, social media, children's entertainment, film/TV and gaming.

Universal Music Group Acquires 25.8% Stake in Chord Music Partners

February 21, 2024

Media & Entertainment

Universal Music Group (UMG) will acquire a 25.8% minority interest in Chord Music Partners for US$240 million, valuing Chord at US$1.85 billion. The transaction creates a long-term strategic partnership under which UMG will administer Chord's music publishing through UMPG and recorded music through Virgin Music Group; KKR will exit and the Dundee consortium will remain a majority owner.

Concord Acquires Mojo Music & Media Publishing Catalog

September 19, 2023

Media & Entertainment

Concord has acquired the music publishing catalog of Mojo Music & Media, adding more than 30,000 songs — including works by REO Speedwagon, KISS and Cheap Trick — to its publishing portfolio. The deal expands Concord's catalog and follows Concord's broader strategic accumulation of publishing assets and recent bid activity in the music-rights market.

Universal Music Group Acquires Ingrooves Music Group

February 12, 2019

Media & Entertainment

Universal Music Group (UMG) agreed to acquire the remaining shares of Ingrooves Music Group, taking full ownership of the independent music distribution and marketing company while retaining Bob Roback as CEO. UMG said the deal will expand Ingrooves' geographic reach and service capabilities for independent artists and labels and will create a strategic partnership between UMG’s Caroline International and Ingrooves to enhance global distribution and marketing services.