Merger promises to rescue EMI but would turn Universal into a super-major that could squeeze out independent labels When Rupert Murdoch tried to buy the part of BSkyB he didn't own, which would give him 40% ownership of all British commercial TV, there was political and media outrage, yet we've seen no such reaction to the news of Universal's swoop for EMI, despite the fact that the deal will give it more than 40% of the recorded music market – creating what Warner Music's exiting chairman calls "a super-major".
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EC says music giant can buy rival only if it sells off labels that are home to Coldplay, Blur, Kylie Minogue and others Universal Music has been given the green light for its £1.2bn EMI takeover by the European Commission, but will ... Read Post
In a continued effort to buy the recording side of EMI, Universal has gone directly to EU regulators for approval of the takeover. Sony/ATV will follow suit for the publishing side of EMI. Warner Music Group and independent labels a... Read Post
'Assets' displaced by Universal's takeover of EMI are being offered for sale to independent labels – is it a good deal? In the past few weeks, it has emerged that the head of Universal Music Group, Lucian Grainge, has offered to sel... Read Post