TMN RETROSPECTIVE REPORT: Sony and BMG merge – 2004

TMN celebrates two decades in this ever-shifting music industry by taking a look back at the key moments – both triumphant and tumultuous – in the Australian music business.

2004
SONY AND BMG MERGE

Between 1995 and 2001, Sony Music was the most powerful, and highest-selling label in the Australian marketplace. In 2002 and 2003 the label seemed to falter somewhat, being outperformed by Universal, and often by EMI and BMG. This stemmed from Universal Music’s 1999 purchase of PolyGram, which quickly made it a major threat to Sony’s dominance. The 2004 Sony BMG merger quickly put paid to this, with the label again becoming the market leader that year, a position it held until 2011, when Universal Music Group again took over. Sony BMG benefitted greatly from releasing the Australian Idol artist’s records, many of which dominated charts throughout the decade.

Our year on year reports are published courtesy of the Australian Music Industry Quarterly magazine. For your free copy click here.