Sony/ATV to look beyond getting Famous.

Newly-installed CEO considers taking advantage of Universal Publishing's impending catalogue sell-off

by Paul Williams

Sony/ATV global chairman and CEO Marty Bandier is following the $370m (#187m) purchase of Famous Music by weighing up a move for the catalogues which Universal must sell off.

Bandier, who joined Sony/ATV from EMI Music Publishing two months ago, reveals he is looking into the merits of the catalogues, which include Rondor UK, Zomba UK, BBC Music, 19 Songs and the European rights to Zomba US. Universal is being forced by the European Commission to dispose of them as a condition of approval for the E1.63bn (#1.1bn) purchase of BMG Music Publishing.

Bandier notes, "Sony/ATV will look at all acquisitions that make economic sense to us, with a view to growing the business. Right now we're a huge boutique that has the potential to grow, so we're looking at Universal and also whether any disposals will need to be made at EMI."

Sony/ATV's ambitious acquisition drive under Bandier has seen Famous become the second big publishing acquisition since he joined in April. The deal with Viacom for Famous, which had also been actively pursued by other leading music publishers, follows the acquisition just days into his tenure of the Leiber and Stoller catalogue of songs which includes Jailhouse Rock, Hound Dog and Stand By Me. "It's pretty remarkable how ...