Sony Music
Second-largest record company, owned by Sony Group Corporation.
Sony Music Entertainment is an American, Japanese-owned multinational music company owned by Sony Group Corporation. It is the recording division of Sony Music Group, with the other half being the publishing division, Sony Music Publishing.
- field
- Recorded music
- nationality
- American (Japanese-owned)
- known_for
- Being the second-largest record company in the world; home to Columbia, Epic, an
- valuation_2026
- $25 billion
- parent
- Sony Group Corporation
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
On August 1, 2019, Sony Music Entertainment merged with music publishing arm Sony/ATV to form the Sony Music Group.
Reader's Guide
Sony Music Entertainment's significance lies in its long history as a dominant force in the recorded music industry, evolving from the American Record Corporation through the CBS era to its current status as a global major. Its acquisition by Sony in 1988 marked a pivotal shift, bringing Japanese ownership to a cornerstone of American music. The 2004 joint venture with Bertelsmann created Sony BMG, uniting historic labels like Columbia, Epic, and RCA Records. As of 2026, Sony Music Entertainment is valued at $25 billion, second only to Universal Music Group, and its publishing division is the world's largest. The company's legacy includes pioneering the LP record, the compact disc, and managing iconic artists across decades.
Did You Know?
- Sony Music Entertainment is the second largest of the 'Big Three' record companies, with a valuation of $25 billion as of 2026.
- On August 1, 2019, Sony Music Entertainment merged with music publishing arm Sony/ATV to form the Sony Music Group.
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