Who Owns Legacy Recordings?
Legacy Recordings is owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation. Legacy operates as a catalog and reissue division within Sony Music's portfolio and is headquartered in New York City, USA. Sony Corporation is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TYO: 6758).
Parent Company
Sony Music Entertainment
Acquired
2000
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
New York City, New York, USA
Who Owns Legacy Recordings?
- Parent Company: Sony Music Entertainment
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2000
- Company Type: Privately Held
- Stock Ticker: Tokyo Stock Exchange: 6758
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy Recordings | Sony Music Entertainment | Wholly owned |
History of Legacy Recordings
- Founded: 2000
- Founders: Sony Music Entertainment
- Acquired by Sony Music Entertainment: 2000
Legacy Recordings was established in 2000 by Sony Music Entertainment as a dedicated division for managing and reissuing classic recordings from Sony's extensive catalog. The label was created to capitalize on the growing interest in catalog music, remastered recordings, and archival releases while preserving Sony's rich music history.
Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, Legacy Recordings became increasingly important to Sony Music's business strategy, releasing remastered editions of classic albums, box sets, and previously unreleased recordings. The label developed expertise in audio restoration, archival research, and catalog curation, becoming a leader in the reissue market.
In recent years, Legacy Recordings has expanded its operations to include digital releases, streaming-optimized versions of classic recordings, and special edition projects. The label has become essential to Sony Music's strategy of monetizing its vast catalog while introducing classic music to new generations of listeners.
About Sony Music Entertainment
What does Sony Music Entertainment own?
Sony Music Entertainment owns a portfolio of record labels including Columbia Records, Epic Records, RCA Records, Arista Records, Legacy Recordings, and Masterworks, among many others. Through Sony Music Publishing, the company owns or administers one of the world's largest music publishing catalogs, including the Beatles' song catalog. SME is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation.
Is Sony Music Entertainment publicly traded?
No, Sony Music Entertainment is not independently publicly traded. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, which is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under ticker 6758 and on the NYSE as an ADR under ticker SONY. SME's financial results are reported as part of Sony Group's Music segment.
Who founded Sony Music Entertainment?
Sony Music Entertainment traces its origins to American Record Corporation (1929) and Columbia Records (acquired by CBS in 1938 as CBS Records). Sony Corporation acquired CBS Records in 1988 for approximately $2 billion and renamed it Sony Music Entertainment. The company's current form was shaped by the 2004 to 2008 Sony BMG joint venture with Bertelsmann, which Sony fully acquired in 2008.
Where is Sony Music Entertainment headquartered?
Sony Music Entertainment is headquartered in New York City, New York, USA. The company has significant operations in Los Angeles, London, Tokyo, and other major music markets worldwide. Sony Music Publishing is also headquartered in New York City.
How many record labels does Sony Music Entertainment own?
Sony Music Entertainment owns dozens of record labels across all genres of music. The major labels include Columbia Records, Epic Records, RCA Records, Arista Records, Legacy Recordings, and Masterworks. Each major label typically operates several sub-labels and imprints. Sony Music Publishing administers one of the world's largest music publishing catalogs.
Who owns Sony Music Entertainment?
Sony Music Entertainment is wholly owned by Sony Group Corporation, a publicly traded Japanese multinational conglomerate headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Sony Group trades on the Tokyo Stock Exchange under ticker 6758. Sony Group itself has a broad institutional and retail shareholder base with no single controlling shareholder.
- Founded: 1929
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Company Type: Privately Held
- Stock: Tokyo Stock Exchange: 6758
Where Is Legacy Recordings Made / Based?
- Headquarters: New York City, New York, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Europe
Brands Owned by Sony Music Entertainment
- Alamo Records - American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, founded in 2012 and kno...
- Arista Records - American record label founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, now owned by Sony Music En...
- Columbia Records - Historic American record label founded in 1887, now owned by Sony Music Entertai...
- Epic Records - American record label founded in 1953, now owned by Sony Music Entertainment, sp...
- Jive Records - American record label founded in 1981, now owned by Sony Music Entertainment, sp...
- Masterworks Records - American classical music record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, special...
- RCA Records - Historic American record label founded in 1901 as Victor Talking Machine Company...
Legacy Recordings Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Access to Sony's vast and historic music catalog
- +Backed by Sony Corporation's substantial financial resources and technology
- +Global distribution network through Sony Music Entertainment
- +Expertise in audio restoration and archival curation
- +Growing market for reissued and remastered classic recordings
Considerations
- -Competition from independent reissue labels and artist-owned catalogs
- -Digital disruption changing how catalog music is consumed
- -Need to balance archival preservation with commercial viability
- -Dependence on streaming platform partnerships and market trends
- -Pressure to discover valuable unreleased material in archives
Frequently Asked Questions About Legacy Recordings
Competitors to Legacy Recordings
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Label | USA | 2017 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Universal Music Group | USA | 1984 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Universal Music Group | USA | 1989 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Universal Music Group | USA | 1995 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Warner Music Group | USA | 1971 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Warner Music Group | USA | 1947 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors
Cactus Jack
Owned by Independent Record Label
American record label founded by Travis Scott in 2017, focusing on hip-hop and alternative artists with distribution through major labels.
Def Jam Recordings
Owned by Universal Music Group
American hip-hop record label founded in 1984 by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons, now owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in New York City.
Interscope Records
Owned by Universal Music Group
American record label founded in 1989, now owned by Universal Music Group, specializing in hip-hop, pop, and alternative music.
Republic Records
Owned by Universal Music Group
American record label founded in 1995 by Monte and Avery Lipman, now owned by Universal Music Group, specializing in pop and contemporary music.
Asylum Records
Owned by Warner Music Group
American record label founded in 1971 by David Geffen, now owned by Warner Music Group, specializing in rock and pop music.
Atlantic Records
Owned by Warner Music Group
American record label owned by Warner Music Group, founded in 1947, known for rhythm and blues, rock, and hip-hop artists.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Legacy Recordings competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Sony Music Entertainment Stock Information
Jobs at Sony Music Entertainment
Latest News About Legacy Recordings
Related Articles About Legacy Recordings
View more articles
Who Owns Spotify? The Streaming Giant's Ownership Explained
Spotify has 675+ million users and dominates music streaming. But who actually owns Spotify, how is it structured, and how does its ownership compare to Apple Music and YouTube Music?
Monthly M&A Roundup: February 2026 Brand Ownership Changes
From Keurig Dr Pepper's planned split to the Netflix-WBD saga, here is every major brand ownership change and deal in February 2026.
The Most Acquired Categories: Tech vs CPG vs Pharma
Which industries see the most brand acquisitions? We compared technology, consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals to find out where the most M&A activity happens and why.
People Also Searched
Discover popular brands and companies in the entertainment-media category and related searches from other users.
Arista Records
American record label founded in 1974 by Clive Davis, now owned by Sony Music Entertainment, specializing in pop and R&B music.
Asylum Records
American record label founded in 1971 by David Geffen, now owned by Warner Music Group, specializing in rock and pop music.
Atlantic Records
American record label owned by Warner Music Group, founded in 1947, known for rhythm and blues, rock, and hip-hop artists.