
Sony Music Entertainment owns 8 brands in our database. Browse the complete portfolio of Sony Music Entertainment subsidiaries and brands across various industries.
Company Type
private
Headquarters
New York City, New York, USA
Brand Portfolio
8 brands
Stock
Tokyo Stock Exchange: 6758
Showing Music brands
1 of 8 total brands
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.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Music Group | USA | 1991 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Amazon | USA | 2007 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Independent Label | USA | 2017 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Universal Music Group | USA | 1984 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |

Owned by Universal Music Group
Influential Southern hip-hop record label owned by Universal Music Group, founded in 1991 in New Orleans by Birdman and Slim Williams.

Owned by Amazon.com Inc.
American music streaming service developed and operated by Amazon.com Inc.

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.

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.
Market Positioning: Sony Music Entertainment competes with 4 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 maintains a diverse portfolio of 8 brands across multiple industries. This comprehensive brand portfolio demonstrates the company's market presence and strategic business units.
For consumers and researchers interested in corporate ownership structures, understanding which brands are owned by Sony Music Entertainmentprovides valuable insights into market dynamics, product relationships, and corporate strategy.
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