CNET on Beats Music's growth

GROWTH BUSINESS: CNET points out that Beats Music debuted with a powerful billing and marketing partnership with AT&T, and it has reportedly been growing quickly. Though the company has yet to disclose hard and fast subscriber numbers, industry estimates peg the total at about 200k. And the WSJ notes that Carlyle Group will be a big winner if the deal goes through. The private-equity firm paid about $500m for just under 50% of Beats Electronics, meaning Carlyle’s take would be upward of $1.5 billion, or about $1 billion profit. Not bad for a seven-month-old investment. (5/9a)