This week, Sony Music Publishing confirmed its agreement to acquire Blackstone‘s Recognition Music Group catalog of over 45,000 songs in a deal reportedly valued at up to $4 billion.
Meanwhile, Red Hot Chili Peppers sold their recorded music catalog to Warner Music Group for more than $300 million, via WMG’s joint venture with Bain Capital.
Elsewhere, BMG and Concord named Bertelsmann veteran Björn Bauer as CFO of the combined music company being created by their merger.
Also this week, Suno fought to keep the terms of its Warner Music Group settlement away from UMG and Sony, accusing the labels of attempting to relitigate a discovery dispute they already lost.
Plus, Live Nation‘s President & CFO Joe Berchtold dismissed ‘blue dot fever’ concerns, insisting there is no data supporting any issues with ticket sales.
Here are some of the biggest headlines from the past few days…
1. SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING CONFIRMS AGREEMENT TO ACQUIRE BLACKSTONE’S RECOGNITION MUSIC GROUP CATALOG, ENCOMPASSING OVER 45,000 SONGS
Sony Music Publishing has officially agreed to acquire the complete music rights portfolio of Recognition Music Group from funds managed by Blackstone. The deal, announced on Monday (May 11), is subject to customary closing conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed, though Bloomberg reported last week that the deal would be valued at between $3.5 billion and $4 billion… (MBW)
2. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS SELLS RECORDED MUSIC CATALOG TO WARNER MUSIC GROUP FOR $300 MILLION+
Red Hot Chili Peppers have sold their recorded music catalog to Warner Music Group in a deal worth more than $300 million, according to sources close to the deal. The Hollywood Reporter was first to report the sale on Friday (May 8). The acquisition was made through WMG‘s joint venture with private investment firm Bain Capital – a catalog-buying vehicle launched in July 2025 with up to $1.2 billion in combined equity and debt… (MBW)
3. BERTELSMANN VETERAN BJÖRN BAUER NAMED CFO OF COMBINED BMG-CONCORD MUSIC COMPANY
BMG and Concord have named Björn Bauer as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the music company being created by their merger. The appointment, announced on Tuesday (May 12), will take effect upon the closing of the BMG-Concord merger, which is expected in the second half of 2026. Bauer will be based in Nashville, where the combined company will have its global headquarters, and will report to designated CEO Bob Valentine… (MBW)
4. SUNO FIGHTS TO KEEP WARNER MUSIC SETTLEMENT TERMS AWAY FROM UMG AND SONY
A federal magistrate blocked Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment from obtaining Suno‘s settlement agreement with Warner Music Group in April. Now, the AI startup is pointing to the labels’ “mischaracterization” of the ruling in an attempt to reopen a dispute that they already lost. That’s according to Suno‘s response to the labels’ objection to the magistrate judge’s April 6 discovery ruling… (MBW)
5. WHAT ‘BLUE DOT FEVER’? LIVE NATION CFO SAYS ‘THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO DATA THAT SUPPORTS ANY ISSUES’ WITH TICKET SALES.
Joe Berchtold, Live Nation‘s President & CFO, has a message for anyone worrying about the firm’s concert ticket sales: Don’t. Speaking at MoffettNathanson‘s investor conference on Thursday (May 14), Berchtold addressed the recent wave of headlines about so-called ‘blue dot fever’ – a phrase used to describe tour cancellations linked to poor ticket sales – as “a nice catchy phrase that is absolutely devoid of facts.” Berchtold attributed the narrative to ticket scalpers frustrated by artists pricing their tours more efficiently… (MBW)
Partner message: MBW’s Weekly Round-up is supported by BMI, the global leader in performing rights management, dedicated to supporting songwriters, composers and publishers and championing the value of music. Find out more about BMI here. Music Business Worldwide
