Who Owns Masterworks Records?
Masterworks Records is owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation. Masterworks operates as a classical music label 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
1991
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
New York City, New York, USA
Who Owns Masterworks Records?
- Parent Company: Sony Music Entertainment
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 1991
- Company Type: Privately Held
- Stock Ticker: Tokyo Stock Exchange: 6758
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Masterworks Records | Sony Music Entertainment | Wholly owned |
History of Masterworks Records
- Founded: 1991
- Founders: Sony Music Entertainment
- Acquired by Sony Music Entertainment: 1991
Masterworks Records was established in 1991 by Sony Music Entertainment as a dedicated classical music label. The label was created to consolidate Sony's classical music operations and establish a premier imprint for classical, opera, and orchestral recordings, serving both established and emerging classical artists.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Masterworks Records became recognized as a leading classical music label, recording major orchestras, conductors, and soloists. The label developed expertise in classical music production, artist development, and repertoire curation, becoming an important part of Sony Music's classical music strategy.
In recent years, Masterworks Records has expanded its operations to include digital releases and streaming-optimized versions of classical recordings while maintaining commitment to high-quality classical music production. The label has worked to introduce classical music to new audiences while serving the traditional classical music market.
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 Masterworks Records 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...
- Legacy Recordings - American catalog and reissue label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, specializi...
- RCA Records - Historic American record label founded in 1901 as Victor Talking Machine Company...
Masterworks Records Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Backed by Sony Corporation's substantial financial resources and technology
- +Global distribution network through Sony Music Entertainment
- +Access to world-class orchestras and classical artists
- +Expertise in classical music production and recording
- +Strong reputation in the classical music community
Considerations
- -Smaller market size compared to popular music labels
- -Digital disruption affecting traditional classical music consumption
- -Need to balance artistic excellence with commercial viability
- -Dependence on streaming platform partnerships and market trends
- -Pressure to develop new classical artists while maintaining established repertoire
Frequently Asked Questions About Masterworks Records
Competitors to Masterworks Records
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: Masterworks Records 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 Masterworks Records
Related Articles About Masterworks Records
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.