Sony Music Publishing
In 1958, Associated Television acquired a fifty percent stake in Pye Records. Lew Grade founded the British television broadcasting company that year. The move marked ATV's first step into the record industry. Over the next two decades, ATV expanded through acquisitions to become an entertainment conglomerate. It entered music publishing in 1966 by acquiring New World Music and Jubilee Music. These were subsidiaries of Chappell & Co. ATV also bought the remaining fifty percent of Pye Records for £2.1 million. This made Pye Records a wholly owned subsidiary including its publishing arm Welbeck Music.
Michael Jackson purchased ATV Music on the 10th of August 1985 for $47.5 million. The deal included Northern Songs which published almost every song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Jackson had been informed about the sale in September 1984 by his attorney John Branca. He sent a bid of $46 million on the 20th of November 1984. Competitors included Charles Koppelman and Marty Bandier's Entertainment Co. Virgin Records and Samuel J. LeFrak also competed. McCartney offered £21 million but Grade declined to sell separately. Holmes à Court accepted Jackson's higher offer because he could close faster. The only excluded song was Penny Lane gifted to Holmes à Court's daughter Catherine.
Sony offered Michael Jackson $110 million for a fifty percent stake in 1995. A joint venture merged ATV Music with Sony Music Publishing. Jackson sealed the deal during a concert in Tokyo following hurriedly arranged meetings. The new company became known as Sony/ATV Music Publishing. It grew to become the second largest music publisher in the world. Michael P. Schulhof welcomed the merger praising Jackson as an astute businessman. Paul Russell served as chairman providing administrative expertise from Sony. Both parties held veto power requiring agreement before decisions were implemented. In 2006 Sony gained operational control and obtained an option to buy half of Jackson's stake for $250 million.
In July 2002 Sony/ATV bought Acuff-Rose Music for $157 million. This included rights to 55,000 country songs by Hank Williams and Roy Orbison. The company revived Hickory Records as an in-house label in 2007. Another acquisition came in 2007 when Famous Music was purchased for $370 million. That catalog contained over 125,000 songs including Moon River and Footloose. Eminem Akon and Shakira had hits within that collection. In November 2011 Citigroup announced EMI would be sold in two pieces. A consortium led by Sony/ATV acquired EMI Music Publishing for around $2.2 billion. This deal won European Union approval in April 2012 making Sony/ATV the largest music publisher administrator globally with over three million songs.
Jon Platt became CEO and Chairman of Sony/ATV Music Publishing in April 2019. His contract replaced longtime leader Martin Bandier who had served since the early days. Management of Sony/ATV merged with Sony Music Entertainment under the newly formed Sony Music Group in August 2019. David Hockman previously served as chairman announcing digital sheet music deals in June 2006. Guy Moot joined international leadership as president of UK and Europe after the 2012 EMI purchase. Susanna Ng took the role of Asia managing director while Clark Miller became executive VP of global opportunities. These changes reflected a shifting landscape where independent songwriters gained new platforms through partnerships like BeatStars in 2020.
Forbes magazine estimated Jackson's fifty percent stake at $450 million in 2002. The organization was valued at $700 million in 2003. Industry experts placed the catalog between $600 million and $1 billion in 2004. Thomas Mesereau claimed the value reached $4 billion to $5 billion in 2005. By 2007 financial documents stated his share was worth $390.6 million making the total $781.2 million. Ryan Schinman estimated the company at $1.5 billion in 2009. A transaction completed on the 30th of September 2016 valued Sony/ATV between $2.2 and $2.4 billion including debt. In 2024 the estate sold half of Jackson's stake in Mijac Music for $600 million.
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Common questions
When did Sony Music Publishing acquire ATV Music?
Sony offered Michael Jackson $110 million for a fifty percent stake in 1995. A joint venture merged ATV Music with Sony Music Publishing to form Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
What songs were included when Sony/ATV bought Acuff-Rose Music in July 2002?
The acquisition of Acuff-Rose Music for $157 million included rights to 55,000 country songs by Hank Williams and Roy Orbison. The company revived Hickory Records as an in-house label in 2007.
How much did Michael Jackson pay for ATV Music on the 10th of August 1985?
Michael Jackson purchased ATV Music on the 10th of August 1985 for $47.5 million. The deal included Northern Songs which published almost every song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney.
Who became CEO and Chairman of Sony/ATV Music Publishing in April 2019?
Jon Platt became CEO and Chairman of Sony/ATV Music Publishing in April 2019. His contract replaced longtime leader Martin Bandier who had served since the early days.
When did Sony gain operational control over Sony/ATV Music Publishing?
In 2006 Sony gained operational control and obtained an option to buy half of Jackson's stake for $250 million. Management of Sony/ATV merged with Sony Music Entertainment under the newly formed Sony Music Group in August 2019.