Quantcast

MERGER MANIA: BMG AND SONY?

Bertie Negotiating Ploy
or Shrinking-Biz Inevitability?
The last time the Germans and the Japanese teamed up, they seemed to have a lot of success. With that in mind, a report that Bertelsmann is investigating a merger with Sony should have everyone in a cheery mood.

Yep, according to the New York Post, Bertelsmann has inevitably moved down the line from merger talks with EMI three years ago and discussions with Warner Music in recent months, to Sony. Because frankly, they’ve talked to everybody else. Other published reports that the Bertie-Warner talks are dead are making the papers as well, though haven't we all used reverse psychology when trying to merge with a major media conglomerate?

EMI acknowledged yesterday that it is talking with AOLTW about WMG, causing Standard & Poors to let EMI know that its stock might be downgraded to junk status. Moody's has already downgraded EMI stock to that level. The S&P news sent EMI’s stock down 4% on Monday.

Analysts estimated that the combined EMI-WMG could save between $206 million-$289 million in costs, though printing new letterhead could wipe those savings out.

NEAR TRUTHS: KINGDOMS
File under: The enemy of my enemy is my friend. (3/26a)
ONE SHINING HITS LIST
She shoots, she scores! (3/26a)
YTD MARKET SHARE
Zeroing in on the elite teams (3/28a)
BEST IN THE WEST:
STEVE BERMAN
High time for another Eminem skit (3/26a)
MUSIC REVENUE TOPPED $17B IN 2023: RIAA
Streaming subscriptions lead the charge. (3/27a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)