MusicInstitutions

R e s e a r c h a n d A n a l y s i s

The Big Four Record Companies

The Big

Four

“The Universal Music Group” which is currently the largest of the four institutions.

“Sony Music Entertainment” which is the current second largest of the four.

“Warner Music Group” which is the third largest recording company.

“EMI Music Publishing” which is the fourth largest company and is the smallest out of the four

institutions.

1

“The Big Four” are the largest recording companies in the current music industry, “The Big Four” consist of the

following institutions -

23

4The Big Four are owned by Live Nation Entertainment, which

currently stands as the largest promoter along with music venue owner hence as a result has control over live music industry.

The Big Four however does not only promote music but also promotes other forms of media entertainment for example TV,

Film and Magazine. The Big Four also has authority over several smaller companies which provide media entertainment of all different forms which targets a variety of audiences and

consumers like yourself and I.

Universal Music GroupUniversal Music Group is a multinational music company and currently the largest business in the music industry thus is a part of “The Big Four” by its leading market share and its multitude of global operations. The company itself was founded in 1934 as DECCA Records USA however developed in 1990 and formed MCA Music Entertainment Group. Six years later the first UMG incarnation was created and was further developed to what it its current title as “The Universal Music Group” [UMG]

The main headquarters for UMG are located in New York City in the United States.

UMG share a large amount of music labels some of which include, Interscope Records, Polydor Records and Geffen Records.

The Universal Music Group have helped many current and successful artists within the music industry at the moment some of which include Kanye West and ABBA.

Website - http://universalmusic.com/

Sony Music EntertainmentSony Music Entertainment is the second largest global recorded music company that makes up the Big Four record companies, it is a joint business enterprise between the Sony Corporation of America and Bertelsmann AG in 2004. The merger affected both companies in a negative way worldwide however did not affect Japan, as a result of this on August 5th 2008, the Sony Corporation of America decided to purchase the other half that belonged to Bertelsmann AG and became the ventures successor for $1.2 billion. Sony Corporation of America now owning all shares of the business decided to change the name to Sony Music Entertainment Inc which it presently stands as.

Like the Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment are also based and have a main headquarter set up in New York City in the USA.

Sony Music Entertainment also have control over several other labels, some of which include, Syco Music [Co Owned TV Personal Simon Cowell], Columbia Records and Epic Records.

Sony Music Entertainment have also helped many current and successful artists along with past artists within the music industry some of which include artists like Michael Jackson to more current artists like JLS.

Website – http://www.sonymusic.com

Warner Music GroupWarner Music Group is the third largest recording company therefore making it a part of the Big Four. The company was founded in 1958 and was recorded as Warner Bros Records however was purchased by Seven Arts Production in 1967. 1970 saw the Warner Group built up a strong reputation and status within the music industry and within the same year gained its first overseas bureau in both Canada and Australia. With the growing success of the Warner Group in 1972 the company changed their name to WEA Corp which represented its three main labels, Warner Bros, Elektra and Atlantic. In 2004 the company changed their name once again to the Warner Music Group as it has become an independent holder.

The Warner Music Group also have a central headquarter situated in New York in the USA .

The WMG also own several other music labels such as Warner Bros Records, Electra Records and Bad Boy Records.

Here are some examples of artists who have worked alongside the WMG, Ashley Tisdale, Paramore and Coolio.

Website - http://WMG.com/

EMI Music PublishingEMI Music Publishing is the smallest of the Big Four record companies and is a British Music Company. 1931 the EMI was founded as the Electric and Music Industries LTD and has a merger of the UK Columbia Graphophone Company, the company during that time period was well known for one of its record labels, His Masters Voice. EMI remains on top of its game and continues to flourish and develop its name within the music industry.

EMI stands apart from the other four institutions due to its main headquarters not being situated in New York, USA but in London, England.

EMI share a large amount of music labels some of which include, Angel Records, Circa Records and Blue Note Records .

EMI have helped many current and successful artists within the music industry at the moment some of which include the likes of Jay Sean and Robbie Williams.

Website - http://www.emimusic.com/