Warner Music Acquires Majority Stake in Tempo Music Catalog, with Full Ownership Option by 2027
Warner Music Group (WMG) has acquired a controlling stake in Tempo Music Investments, their catalog-focused joint venture with Providence Equity Partners originally launched in 2019.
Wiz Khalifa on stage performing
Key Details of the Acquisition:
- Tempo's catalog includes works from Twenty One Pilots, Adele, Bruno Mars, and Wiz Khalifa
- Rights composition: 80% publishing, 20% recorded music
- Estimated deal value: approximately $450 million
- WMG has an option to purchase Providence's remaining stake by the end of 2027
The deal aligns with WMG's aggressive acquisition strategy under CEO Robert Kyncl, following recent purchases of the DWA and Extravaganza catalogs. To strengthen this strategy, WMG recently hired Goldman Sachs veteran Michael Ryan-Southern to lead their acquisition efforts.
This acquisition provides WMG with increased control over valuable music catalogs and is expected to become more profitable as existing publishing deals expire. According to Ryan-Southern, the deal "is designed to build our scale and influence, while delivering additional revenue at a high margin."
Tori Amos wearing glasses and white shirt
Providence Equity remains as a minority stakeholder for now, though they've shown recent portfolio adjustments, including the sale of European concert company Superstruct last year.
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