Photo Credit: BMG x Concord
BMG and Concord announce a definitive agreement to combine their businesses, creating the largest independent music company in the world.
BMG and Concord have finally announced a definitive agreement to combine their businesses, after weeks of rumors that a deal was forthcoming. Operating under the BMG name, the combined company will unite two complementary businesses to establish a global independent company delivering scaled services to artists, songwriters, and partners.
Their combined rosters include artists like Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Daddy Yankee, Phil Collins, R.E.M., and more.
The move comes amid significant transformation in the global music market, where scale, global reach, and technology investment are increasingly critical to remaining competitive. Together, BMG and Concord will form a fully integrated global music company spanning music publishing, recorded music, theatrical rights, and digital distribution. This increased scale will enable “deeper investment in creativity, next-generation technology, and world-class talent, and will preserve the entrepreneurial approach that artists, songwriters, and playwrights value.”
“We believe this is a truly one-of-a-kind opportunity to bring together two world-class teams and rosters at the right moment, as scale in rights ownership becomes increasingly critical to long-term growth,” said Thomas Coesfeld, Chief Executive Officer of BMG and designated Chairman of the combined company.
“This transaction accelerates our successful BMG Next strategy by enabling a more ambitious and sustained approach to investing in artists and songwriters, as well as in rights, technology, AI tools, and the talent shaping the industry. As one unified business, we will further deepen our position as a preferred global partner to artists, songwriters, and platforms, combining scale with the agility and independence they value. We look forward to this next chapter and to the opportunities it creates for artists, songwriters, and partners.”
“We are excited to begin working together to build something truly exceptional,” said Bob Valentine, Chief Executive Officer of Concord and designated CEO of the combined company. “Both companies were founded to support great artistry and with a deep sense of responsibility to the performers, songwriters, and playwrights we serve. We share a philosophy grounded in artist development, strategic long-term management of IP, and operational discipline.”
Upon closing, Valentine will serve as CEO of the combined company, with Coesfeld serving as Chairman. As announced previously, Coesfeld will assume the role of CEO of Bertelsmann, effective January 1, 2027. A joint management team drawn from both companies will lead the business. The newly formed company’s global headquarters will be in Nashville, with Berlin serving as its European headquarters. Its publishing division will be named BMG Publishing, and its recorded music division will be called Concord Records.
Approximately 67% of the combined company will be owned by Bertelsmann, while around 33% will be owned by affiliates of Great Mountain Partners, who will receive a onetime cash payment of $1.16 billion. Bertelsmann will continue to support BMG’s growth trajectory in the ever-changing global music market.
So will the new company qualify as a “fourth major” label? Technically yes, in terms of scale—but the two companies don’t focus as much on contemporary superstars. Instead, the companies share similar publishing and catalog-oriented business models, without focusing on mainstreaming budding TikTok stars.
“Our greater scale will allow us to invest more in creative talent, global reach, accretive acquisition opportunities, and technology, while preserving the nimble, entrepreneurial spirit that artists and songwriters value most,” added Valentine. “This is not about replicating the major label model; it’s about using scale to strengthen independence. Together, we will build a company that gives artists more reach and more flexibility—all designed to support their distinct visions.”
