UMG-EMI possible divestments

NOT JUST TABLE SCRAPS: In the ongoing intrigue surrounding the European Commission’s simultaneous scrutiny of UMG-EMI and Sony/ATV-EMI Music Publishing, the names of possible labels and pubcos that may have to be divested to get the deals approved are being tossed around by industry observers. On the UMG-EMI front, speculation centers on Blue Note, Manhattan, the Christian Music Group, the Latin Music Group, Astralwerks, Harvest and Chrysalis Records, while possible divestitures in terms of Sony/ATV-EMP include Virgin Publishing but probably not the valuable Jobete catalog, which Bandier viewed as one of his most important acquisitions during his years at EMP. WMG, BMG, Imagem and Martin Mills’ Beggars Group are presumed to be among the likely buyers in one or both instances. Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission is going through its own regulatory scrutiny of the two mergers. (6/15a)