BMG and Nashville-based indie music giant Concord announced a merger the companies said will create the leading independent music company in the world enabling “deeper investment in creativity, next-generation technology, and world-class talent” and preserve “the entrepreneurial approach that artists, songwriters, and playwrights value.”

Operating under the BMG name, the combined company will be owned about 67% by Bertelsmann and 33% by affiliates of investment firm Great Mountain Partners, which will also receive a one-time cash payment of $1.16 billion. The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2026.

In fast-growing markets, where music consumption continues to evolve, the unified company will be well positioned to expand its presence, deepen artist and songwriter partnerships, and capture new revenue streams across platforms and formats. It is expected to generate significant cash flow to reinvest in the business and fuel growth. This includes a mid-term ambition to achieve $1.2 billion in EBITDA, building from a pro forma EBITDA base of more than $730 million in 2026, driven through organic growth, M&A, and synergies.

“We believe this is a truly one-of-a-kind opportunity to bring together two world-class teams and rosters at the right moment, as scale in rights ownership becomes increasingly critical to long-term growth,” said Thomas Coesfeld, CEO of Berlin-based BMG and designated chairman of the combined company. BMG represents more than three million songs and recordings, including some of the most iconic catalogs and works from leading artists and songwriters, including will.i.am, Jean-Michel Jarre, Tina Turner, Jason Aldean, Jelly Roll, Paul Simon, and many more. BMG is wholly owned and privately held by Bertelsmann.

“We are excited to begin working together to build something truly exceptional,” added Bob Valentine, CEO of Concord and designated CEO of the combined company. “Both companies were founded to support great artistry and with a deep sense of responsibility to the performers, songwriters, and playwrights we serve. We share a philosophy grounded in artist development, strategic long-term management of IP, and operational discipline. Our greater scale will allow us to invest more in creative talent, global reach, accretive acquisition opportunities, and technology, while preserving the nimble, entrepreneurial spirit that artists and songwriters value most. This is not about replicating the major label model; it’s about using scale to strengthen independence. Together, we will build a company that gives artists more reach and more flexibility – all designed to support their distinct visions.”

Concord is the world’s leading independent music company. The Company supports more than 125,000 artists and songwriters whose works are licensed, marketed, and performed globally. Concord’s growing catalog of 1.3 million songs, compositions, sound recordings, films, plays, and musicals is one of the most impactful and culturally relevant collections of creative rights in history.

More to come