Death watch for EMI?

[GA Russell]

Well, I don't like the looks of it. But if EMI is wasting away and cannot continue on its own, it would seem like only Sony/BMG, WEA and Universal would be big enough to take EMI in. And if Sony and Universal split the company, isn't that better than the whole thing going to one firm?

[The Magnificent Goldberg]

Maybe it's best for companies like this to go bust and then the creditors flog bits that are of some interest to whomever's interested. Most of the really interesting stuff will be in the public domain soon.

MG

[David Ayers]

Maybe it's best for companies like this to go bust and then the creditors flog bits that are of some interest to whomever's interested. Most of the really interesting stuff will be in the public domain soon.

MG

These days I am mainly interested in what is happening now. There is lots of interesting music and lots of ways to hear it! In any case this thread is talking about the music publishing wing of EMI - publishing does well: recorded back-catalogues are another issue entirely. The fact they are cutting staff doesn't sound like more than routine corporate shenanigans - I doubt it has implications for music as such.

[mjzee]

BRUSSELS—Universal Music Group Inc. has asked for more time to respond to concerns from European Union regulators over the company's proposed acquisition of the recording arm of EMI Group Ltd. and now is expected to reply by Thursday night, people close to the matter said Wednesday.

The request signaled that the company was attempting to respond to a raft of complaints by antitrust regulators, set out in a document nearly 200 pages long.

The initial deadline to respond to antitrust concerns was Tuesday and was extended to midnight Thursday. Universal was expected to submit its reply in time for the deadline, a person with close knowledge of the matter said.

Complete article:

WSJ

[mjzee]

Latest news...Universal may be required to sell Blue Note to seal the deal!

WSJ

[Shawn]

Latest news...Universal may be required to sell Blue Note to seal the deal!

WSJ

That part must be in the "subscription only" section.

[mjzee]

Here are the relevant paragraphs:

BRUSSELS—Universal Music Group is preparing to offer major concessions to European antitrust regulators by Thursday night, about two days later than initially planned, as it seeks approval for its proposed $1.9 billion acquisition of EMI Music. The delay came as the music giant appeared to stumble in its efforts to win support for its deal from smaller, independent rivals.

Universal will likely need to offer significant divestitures to overcome the Commission's objections, which were particularly strenuous, according to people who have reviewed them. The commission's "statement of objections" was delivered to Universal and its parent, Vivendi SA, in mid June....

To allay the regulators' concerns and get its European market share to below 40%, Universal is looking to sell off several of EMI's music labels and recording catalogs, according to people familiar with the situation....

The proposed divestitures are expected to include the European operations of Virgin Records, along with at least some of EMI's catalogs of jazz and classical recordings, according to these people.

[David Ayers]

In breaking news, regulators are set to break the Dodo's stranglehold on Mascarene Island.

[robertoart]