EMI to be split up -- sources

LONG DIVISION: It looks increasingly likely that EMI will be sold off as two separate businesses after final bids came in last week, sources told Reuters. The highest bids on EMI Music Publishing came from BMG and Sony/ATV, and one source added that the two bids came in close to each other. UMG and Len Blavatnik's Warner Music put in bids on recorded music, as expected. Citigroup is expected to pick the winning bidders for the businesses by the end of next week. While WMG has famously been interested in buying all of EMI, significant antitrust hurdles on the publishing side, along with the challenges of lining up financing in a volatile market, makes such a deal unlikely, Reuters’ sources said. (10/13a)