Warner/Chappell just leapfrogged Sony/ATV to become the #1 music publisher

For over five years (or 20 consecutive quarters) Sony/ATV has been the top-ranked music publisher but is now replaced by Warner/ Chappell in the latest quarter, Billboard reports.

Every quarter, Billboard puts together a market share based on the top 100 radio songs.

In the third quarter, Warner/ Chappell was involved in 55 songs from 49 in the quarter below. This gave it a 22.99% share (previously 19%)

Remaining at the second spot was Universal Music Publishing with involvement in 53 songs in the Top 100 and a 20.37% share.

Sony/ATV dropped from 49 songs in the Top 100 to 42, and had an 18.67% share.

Warner/Chappell Music was #1 country music publisher with a 25.72% of country radio songs, far outpacing runner-up Sony/ATV with 12.49%.

Warner/Chappell’s CEO/Chairman Jon Platt issued a memo to his staff: “Alongside our success in the U.S., we are home to a thriving and growing global community of songwriters.

“We’re reaching new heights all over the world, including a creative resurgence in the UK, Germany and France.

“This latest accomplishment reinforces what we already know: that our focus on putting songwriters first is putting Warner/Chappell first—and that our songwriters are creating the biggest hits around the world.

“This wouldn’t be possible without the knowledge, dedication and passion that each of you brings to our company day in and day out.”

In another change in the Billboard report, BMG (8.34%) overtook Kobalt Music Group (7.76%) for the first time, aided by its involvement in Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s ‘Despacito’ featuring Justin Bieber.

Others in the Top 10 included Pulse Music Group (1.26%), Spirit Music Group (1.15%), Downtown Music Publishing (1.15%) and SONGS (1.01%).