Warner Music Group

World's third-largest music corporation, privately held by Access Industries, operating through multiple record labels and music publishing divisions globally.

Company Type

public

Founded

1958

Headquarters

New York City, New York, USA

About Warner Music Group

Access Industries is a privately held multinational industrial group founded in 1986 by Len Blavatnik, a Soviet-born British-American businessman. The company specializes in diversified investments across chemicals, media, entertainment, technology, and real estate sectors.

Access Industries maintains a portfolio that includes Warner Music Group, DAZN sports streaming service, and various technology and chemical companies. The firm is known for long-term investment strategies and providing operational support to its portfolio companies while allowing strategic autonomy.

Len Blavatnik serves as chairman and founder of Access Industries, overseeing the company's global investment strategy and portfolio management. The firm's ownership of WMG represents its significant investment in entertainment and media sectors.

History of Warner Music Group

Warner Music Group traces its origins to 1958 with the establishment of Warner Bros. Records, the music division of Warner Bros. film studio. The company grew through strategic acquisitions and label development throughout the 1960s and 1970s, establishing itself as a major force in the music industry.

In 1972, Warner Communications acquired Elektra Records and Asylum Records, creating the foundation for what would become Warner Music Group. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the company expanded through additional acquisitions and organic growth, becoming one of the world's largest music companies.

WMG was spun off from Time Warner in 2004 and became a publicly traded company in 2005. In 2011, Access Industries acquired WMG for $3.3 billion, taking the company private. Under private ownership, WMG has focused on digital transformation, global expansion, and strengthening its artist and songwriter partnerships.

The company has adapted to streaming dominance, invested in new technologies, and expanded its presence in emerging markets while maintaining its traditional strengths in artist development and music publishing.

Brands Owned by Warner Music Group

View all 9 brands

Warner Music Group owns 9 brands in our database. Showing featured brands below.

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.

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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.

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East West Records

Owned by Warner Music Group

American record label founded in 1955, now owned by Warner Music Group, specializing in diverse music genres including rock, pop, and alternative.

record-labelmusicrock

Elektra Music Group

Owned by Warner Music Group

American record label owned by Warner Music Group, founded in 2018 as a revival of the historic Elektra Records brand.

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London Records

Owned by Warner Music Group

British record label founded in 1926, now owned by Warner Music Group, specializing in diverse music genres with strong international operations.

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Parlophone Records

Owned by Warner Music Group

British record label founded in 1896, now owned by Warner Music Group, specializing in rock, pop, and diverse music genres with strong European operations.

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View all 9 brands owned by Warner Music Group

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Warner Records on Amazon

Warner Music Group Ownership: Pros & Cons

Advantages

+Private ownership allows long-term strategic focus without public market pressures
+Strong artist and songwriter relationships across multiple genres
+Global distribution network and industry partnerships
+Adaptability to digital transformation and streaming models
+Backed by Access Industries' financial resources and strategic guidance

Considerations

-Competition from independent labels and artist-owned platforms
-Digital disruption affecting traditional music revenue streams
-Need to balance global scale with artist development focus
-Regulatory scrutiny over music industry consolidation
-Dependence on hit-driven success and market trends

Frequently Asked Questions About Warner Music Group

Is Warner Music Group a subsidiary of Access Industries?

Yes, Warner Music Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Access Industries, a privately held industrial group founded by Len Blavatnik. WMG operates as a private company under Access Industries ownership.

Is Warner Music Group publicly traded?

No, Warner Music Group is not publicly traded. The company was publicly traded from 2005 to 2011 but was taken private by Access Industries in 2011 for $3.3 billion.

When was Warner Music Group founded?

The company's origins trace back to 1958 with the establishment of Warner Bros. Records. WMG as it exists today was formed through various acquisitions and corporate restructurings throughout the 1970s-2000s.

Who created Warner Music Group?

Warner Music Group evolved from Warner Bros. Records, which was founded by the Warner brothers (Harry, Albert, Sam, and Jack Warner) as part of their film studio's expansion into music entertainment.

What is Warner Music Group's market position?

Warner Music Group is the world's third-largest music company, behind Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment. The company maintains a strong global presence with significant market share across all major music genres.

About Warner Music Group

History of Warner Music Group