Global music conglomerate, originally known as Bertelsmann Music Group. The parent is now BMG Rights Management GmbH trading as BMG Rights Management.
How to use this profile:
The BMG brand has been used for different roles throughout its history.
For releases with a label logo such as RCA, Arista, Ariola or other subsidiary labels/imprints of BMG, and where the BMG logo appears on back cover only (and not on media label), BMG should not be added as a Label to LCCN. Please instead add BMG as a Record Company in LCCN.
Example: Cowboy Junkies - The Trinity Session
For releases with a label logo of BMG (e.g., appears on media and packaging), including releases where another label logo may appear on media and/or packaging, please add BMG as a Label to LCCN.
Example: The Dirty Knobs - Wreckless Abandon
Examples with two label logos:
Keith Richards - Main Offender
Elsa (2) - Sólo Era Un Sueño
For releases where the BMG logo is subtitled with Bertelsmann Music Group or just Bertelsmann, please refer to Bertelsmann Music Group.
Example: Gotthard - Dial Hard
For releases with a credit of "Distributed by the local BMG company," please add BMG as "Distributed By" to LCCN.
Example: The Flamin' Groovies - Teenage Head
Background/history:
In 1985, Bertelsmann AG and RCA started a joint venture for their music divisions, RCA/Ariola Records. In 1986, Bertelsmann purchased all of the remainder of the joint venture's stock from General Electric and became the owner of both RCA and Arista in the process. The RCA, Arista and Ariola labels were united in 1987 as Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG).
On August 5, 2004, BMG merged with Sony Music, the resulting music company was named Sony BMG Music Entertainment. Bertelsmann sold off its stake in August 2008, leading to the formation of BMG Rights Management in Germany on 1 October 2008.
BMG as a record label was reconstituted in the US, UK and the rest of continental Europe in 2009 as a joint venture with the investment firm KKR. In 2012, Bertelsmann bought out KKR and now owns BMG fully. By 2014 it had a presence in 70% of the world’s music markets and by 2017 it was global.
Until 2023, worldwide distribution was handled by a network of companies working with BMG offices all over the globe, whilst digital distribution was via Warner Music’s Alternative Distribution Alliance from 2017 to 2023 when BMG moved it in-house. As of 2023, the Universal Music Group distributes all BMG physical catalogue worldwide.
