Bertelsmann Music Group

Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) was the recorded-music division of German media company Bertelsmann. It became part of Sony BMG in 2004, and Bertelsmann sold its stake in 2008.

Bertelsmann: A German media, services, and education company founded in 1835. Bertelsmann developed the recorded-music division and supplied its corporate parentage.
Record label: A company or brand that releases and promotes recorded music. BMG organized much of its business through a portfolio of record labels.
Thomas Middelhoff: A German business executive who led Bertelsmann as chief executive from 1998 to 2002. He oversaw Bertelsmann during BMG’s expansion and the approach to its Sony merger.
Sony Music Entertainment: A major global recorded-music company owned by Sony Group Corporation. Sony became BMG’s partner in the 2004 joint venture and later its sole owner.
Ariola Records: A German record label founded in 1958 and later owned by Bertelsmann. Ariola became a foundation of Bertelsmann’s recorded-music operations.
Music distribution: The delivery of recorded music to retailers, platforms, and listeners. Distribution connected BMG’s releases with markets around the world.
Rolf Schmidt-Holtz: A German media executive who led Bertelsmann’s music business and later served as Sony BMG chief executive. His leadership bridged BMG’s final years and the joint venture.
Bertelsmann’s sale of its Sony BMG stake: Bertelsmann’s 2008 sale of its half-share in Sony BMG to Sony. The sale ended Bertelsmann’s ownership of the recorded-music operation.
RCA Records: An American record label established in 1901 and now owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Bertelsmann acquired RCA’s record business in 1986, expanding its international reach.
Music publishing: The business of licensing and administering rights in musical compositions. Unlike BMG’s recorded-music division, Bertelsmann’s publishing interests concerned compositions and their use.

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