Warner Music Group

Warner Music Group is an American music company based in New York City. Its history goes back to Warner Bros. Records, founded in 1958. WMG became an independent listed company in 2005 and was later bought by Access Industries, then listed again in 2020. The company reports results in dollars with a fiscal year that ends in September. Len Blavatnik, through Access Industries, remains a major shareholder, and it signs acts in many countries.

The company runs record labels including Atlantic Records, Warner Records, Elektra and Parlophone. Its publishing unit, Warner Chappell Music, holds rights to many songs. The company also sells artist services, merchandise and concert-related products.

WMG signs artists from many countries and works with streaming services. It is one of the three major music companies. The shares trade on Nasdaq. Robert Kyncl is chief executive. Warner Chappell holds the rights to songs by many writers. Competitors include Universal Music Group and Sony Music.