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WARNER MUSIC GROUP AND BAIN CAPITAL ANNOUNCE LAUNCH OF JOINT VENTURE TO INVEST UP TO $1.2 BILLION IN ICONIC MUSIC CATALOGS

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Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG) and Bain Capital have announced a significant joint venture to invest up to $1.2 billion in acquiring iconic music catalogs across recorded music and music publishing. The partnership is structured with equal equity commitments from both companies.

Under the agreement, WMG and Bain Capital will collaboratively source and acquire the catalogs, while WMG will handle all marketing, distribution, and administration aspects. The venture combines WMG's global infrastructure and industry relationships with Bain Capital's financial resources and capabilities.

The strategic partnership aims to provide artists and songwriters with opportunities to preserve and enhance their catalogs' value, leveraging the growing opportunities in streaming and emerging technologies. Goldman Sachs and Fifth Third Bank will serve as joint lead arrangers for the venture.

Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG) e Bain Capital hanno annunciato una joint venture significativa per investire fino a 1,2 miliardi di dollari nell'acquisizione di cataloghi musicali iconici, sia nel settore della musica registrata che in quello dell'editoria musicale. La partnership prevede impegni azionari paritari da parte di entrambe le società.

Secondo l'accordo, WMG e Bain Capital collaboreranno nella ricerca e acquisizione dei cataloghi, mentre WMG si occuperà di tutti gli aspetti di marketing, distribuzione e amministrazione. La joint venture unisce l'infrastruttura globale e le relazioni di settore di WMG alle risorse finanziarie e alle competenze di Bain Capital.

La partnership strategica mira a offrire ad artisti e autori opportunità per preservare e valorizzare i propri cataloghi, sfruttando le crescenti opportunità offerte dallo streaming e dalle tecnologie emergenti. Goldman Sachs e Fifth Third Bank agiranno come co-lead arranger per la joint venture.

Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG) y Bain Capital han anunciado una importante empresa conjunta para invertir hasta 1.200 millones de dólares en la adquisición de catálogos musicales icónicos, tanto en música grabada como en publicación musical. La asociación está estructurada con compromisos de capital iguales por parte de ambas compañías.

Según el acuerdo, WMG y Bain Capital colaborarán en la búsqueda y adquisición de los catálogos, mientras que WMG se encargará de todos los aspectos de marketing, distribución y administración. La empresa conjunta combina la infraestructura global y las relaciones industriales de WMG con los recursos financieros y capacidades de Bain Capital.

La asociación estratégica tiene como objetivo ofrecer a artistas y compositores oportunidades para preservar y aumentar el valor de sus catálogos, aprovechando las crecientes oportunidades en streaming y tecnologías emergentes. Goldman Sachs y Fifth Third Bank actuarán como organizadores principales conjuntos para la empresa.

워너 뮤직 그룹(NASDAQ: WMG)베인 캐피털이 최대 12억 달러를 투자해 녹음 음악과 음악 출판 분야의 상징적인 음악 카탈로그를 인수하는 중요한 합작 투자를 발표했습니다. 이 파트너십은 양사가 동등한 지분을 출자하는 구조로 되어 있습니다.

협약에 따라 WMG와 베인 캐피털은 카탈로그를 공동으로 발굴 및 인수하며, WMG는 마케팅, 유통, 관리 업무를 전담합니다. 이번 합작 투자는 WMG의 글로벌 인프라와 산업 네트워크, 베인 캐피털의 재정 자원과 역량을 결합한 것입니다.

이 전략적 파트너십은 아티스트와 작곡가들에게 카탈로그의 가치를 보존하고 높일 수 있는 기회를 제공하며, 스트리밍과 신기술 분야에서 증가하는 기회를 활용하는 것을 목표로 합니다. 골드만 삭스와 피프스 서드 뱅크가 공동 수석 주관사를 맡습니다.

Warner Music Group (NASDAQ : WMG) et Bain Capital ont annoncé une coentreprise majeure visant à investir jusqu'à 1,2 milliard de dollars dans l'acquisition de catalogues musicaux emblématiques, tant dans la musique enregistrée que dans l'édition musicale. Le partenariat est structuré avec des engagements en capital égaux de la part des deux entreprises.

Selon l'accord, WMG et Bain Capital collaboreront pour identifier et acquérir ces catalogues, tandis que WMG prendra en charge tous les aspects marketing, distribution et administration. La coentreprise combine l'infrastructure mondiale et les relations industrielles de WMG avec les ressources financières et les capacités de Bain Capital.

Ce partenariat stratégique vise à offrir aux artistes et auteurs-compositeurs des opportunités de préserver et de valoriser leurs catalogues, en tirant parti des opportunités croissantes du streaming et des technologies émergentes. Goldman Sachs et Fifth Third Bank agiront en tant que co-arrangeurs principaux de la coentreprise.

Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG) und Bain Capital haben eine bedeutende Joint Venture bekanntgegeben, um bis zu 1,2 Milliarden US-Dollar in den Erwerb ikonischer Musikkataloge aus den Bereichen aufgezeichnete Musik und Musikverlag zu investieren. Die Partnerschaft ist mit gleichen Kapitalanteilen beider Unternehmen strukturiert.

Im Rahmen der Vereinbarung werden WMG und Bain Capital gemeinsam die Kataloge beschaffen und erwerben, während WMG alle Marketing-, Vertriebs- und Verwaltungsaufgaben übernimmt. Das Joint Venture verbindet die globale Infrastruktur und Branchenkontakte von WMG mit den finanziellen Ressourcen und Fähigkeiten von Bain Capital.

Die strategische Partnerschaft zielt darauf ab, Künstlern und Songwritern Möglichkeiten zu bieten, den Wert ihrer Kataloge zu erhalten und zu steigern, indem sie die wachsenden Chancen im Streaming und bei neuen Technologien nutzen. Goldman Sachs und Fifth Third Bank werden als gemeinsame Hauptarrangeure fungieren.

Positive
  • Equal equity partnership between WMG and Bain Capital for significant $1.2 billion investment capacity
  • Strategic combination of WMG's music industry expertise with Bain Capital's financial resources
  • Opportunity to expand catalog reach through WMG's global infrastructure and relationships
  • Positioned to capitalize on streaming and emerging technology opportunities
Negative
  • None.

Insights

WMG's $1.2B joint venture with Bain Capital strengthens competitive position in high-value catalog acquisitions, diversifying investment risk while maintaining operational control.

Warner Music Group's strategic partnership with Bain Capital represents a significant move in the increasingly competitive music catalog acquisition space. By forming this $1.2 billion joint venture with equal equity commitments, WMG effectively doubles its purchasing power without bearing the entire financial burden.

The structure of this deal is particularly noteworthy. While both parties will source and acquire catalogs together, WMG retains control over all marketing, distribution, and administration functions. This arrangement allows Warner to expand its catalog assets and associated revenue streams while leveraging Bain's financial resources and expertise in asset valuation.

This partnership comes amid an industry-wide race to acquire valuable music catalogs, which have become increasingly attractive investments due to the predictable long-term revenue streams generated through streaming platforms. The timing is strategic as catalog values have been reaching historic highs, with many iconic artists selling their rights for substantial sums.

For WMG, this represents a balanced approach to catalog expansion. Rather than committing $1.2 billion of its own capital, the company shares the investment risk while maintaining operational control over the acquired assets. This preserves WMG's balance sheet flexibility while potentially adding significant recurring revenue streams.

The involvement of Goldman Sachs and Fifth Third Bank as joint lead arrangers further validates the commercial viability of this venture, suggesting favorable financing terms that should enhance potential returns on investment.

NEW YORK and BOSTON, July 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG), the global music entertainment company, and Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm, are launching a joint venture to allow for the purchase of up to $1.2 billion of legendary music catalogs across both recorded music and music publishing. The partnership was formed through equal equity commitments from WMG and Bain Capital.

This new strategic venture will provide artists and songwriters with opportunities to preserve and expand the reach of their catalogs, ensuring their legacies are well cared for. WMG and Bain Capital will together source and acquire the catalogs, while WMG will manage all aspects of marketing, distribution, and administration. By combining WMG's worldwide infrastructure and relationships with Bain Capital's global resources and financial capabilities, the venture is well-positioned to set a new standard as the preferred partner for renowned musical talent.

This deal comes at an opportune time in the music industry, given changing fan behavior, driven by streaming and emerging technologies that introduce classic music to new audiences.

"Iconic artists and songwriters choose WMG to grow their legacies and introduce their art to new generations through impactful and innovative campaigns," said Robert Kyncl, CEO, Warner Music Group. "Augmenting our deep expertise and global infrastructure with Bain Capital's financial prowess and belief in music will make us the destination of choice for preeminent catalogs."

"Timeless music content continues to sit at the center of consumer entertainment," said Angelo Rufino, a Partner at Bain Capital. "Stewardship of catalogs has never been more important as artists and songwriters deserve support to enhance the value of their work while delivering fans new and exciting collaborations. Warner Music Group, with its deep creative resources and partnership culture, is the ideal partner for Bain Capital to work alongside as we grow and safeguard the world's iconic music."

Goldman Sachs and Fifth Third Bank will serve as joint lead arrangers to the joint venture.

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About Warner Music Group
Warner Music Group (WMG) brings together artists, songwriters, entrepreneurs, and technology that are moving entertainment culture across the globe. Operating in more than 70 countries through a network of affiliates and licensees, WMG's Recorded Music division includes renowned labels such as 10K Projects, 300 Entertainment, Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, EastWest, Elektra, Erato, First Night, Fueled By Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin', Warner Records, Warner Classics, and Warner Music Nashville. WMG's music publishing arm, Warner Chappell Music, has a catalog of over one million copyrights spanning every musical genre, from the standards of the Great American Songbook to the biggest hits of the 21st century. Warner Music Group is also home to ADA, which supports the independent community, as well as artist services division WMX. Follow WMG on Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

About Bain Capital
Founded in 1984, Bain Capital is one of the world's leading private investment firms. We are committed to creating lasting impact for our investors, teams, businesses, and the communities in which we live. As a private partnership, we lead with conviction and a culture of collaboration, advantages that enable us to innovate investment approaches, unlock opportunities, and create exceptional outcomes. Our global platform invests across five focus areas: Private Equity, Growth & Venture, Capital Solutions, Credit & Capital Markets, and Real Assets. In these focus areas, we bring deep sector expertise and wide-ranging capabilities. We have 24 offices on four continents, more than 1,850 employees, and approximately $185 billion in assets under management. To learn more, visit www.baincapital.com. Follow @BainCapital on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

Press Contacts:
Warner Music Group
Summer Wilkie / James Steven
summer.wilkie@wmg.com / james.steven@wmg.com

Bain Capital
Charlyn Lusk / Scott Lessne
Stanton
(646) 502-3549 / (646) 502-3569
clusk@stantonprm.com / slessne@stantonprm.com

Cision View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/warner-music-group-and-bain-capital-announce-launch-of-joint-venture-to-invest-up-to-1-2-billion-in-iconic-music-catalogs-302495367.html

SOURCE Warner Music Group Corp.

FAQ

What is the size of the Warner Music Group and Bain Capital joint venture?

The joint venture will allow for the purchase of up to $1.2 billion of music catalogs across recorded music and music publishing.

How will the WMG-Bain Capital partnership be structured?

The partnership is structured with equal equity commitments from both WMG and Bain Capital, with WMG managing marketing, distribution, and administration while both companies will source and acquire catalogs.

Who will manage the catalogs in the WMG-Bain Capital joint venture?

Warner Music Group will manage all aspects of marketing, distribution, and administration of the acquired catalogs.

Which banks are involved in the WMG-Bain Capital catalog venture?

Goldman Sachs and Fifth Third Bank will serve as joint lead arrangers to the joint venture.

What is the purpose of the WMG-Bain Capital music catalog investment?

The venture aims to preserve and expand the reach of legendary music catalogs, ensuring artists' and songwriters' legacies while capitalizing on streaming and emerging technology opportunities.
Warner Music Group Corp.

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