Sony buys rights to Queen's catalog for over $1 billion

[rick64]

Queen's catalog sells to Sony Music for over $1 billion in record-breaking deal: reports

Queen's catalog has been acquired by Sony Music for over $1 billion, according to reports. The billion-dollar acquisition appears to be the most expensive music catalog sale in history.

www.foxbusiness.com

 

[GeraldV]

Good for Queen. 1.2 B is a nice lick!

 

[Ron Mehico]

How does Sony make their money back on that? I don’t really get the business of it. Like sports teams have to pay Sony to play “another one bites the dust”?

 

[GeraldV]

How does Sony make their money back on that? I don’t really get the business of it. Like sports teams have to pay Sony to play “another one bites the dust”?

They charge an exorbitant fee for whenever a movie, tv show, etc want to use a Queen song.

 

[Hank Camacho]

They charge an exorbitant fee for whenever a movie, tv show, etc want to use a Queen song.

Am I crazy to think that there are only, maybe, 5 Queen songs that would have any appreciable market value whatsoever?

 

[GeraldV]

Am I crazy to think that there are only, maybe, 5 Queen songs that would have any appreciable market value whatsoever?

Probably. But “We are the Champions” might be the most licensed song of all time.

 

[Someguywhodoesntlikeyou]

Dylan and Springsteen have done the same recently.

Personally, I think Dylan’s music had a lot more cultural significance and Bobby should have just said “when I die let the world have it”.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

Can I pay them not to play Another One Bites the Dust?

I like Queen a lot.

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Am I crazy to think that there are only, maybe, 5 Queen songs that would have any appreciable market value whatsoever?

More like 20. The expectation before the purchase was roughly 40 million per year in revenue. Im sure Sony has some plans in place to increase that and then you have to accept a steady appreciation due to inflation.

Its interesting that Freddie's friend Mary holds a 75% stake in Freddie's share. His sister holds the other 25%.

 

[AustinTXCat]

Vevo earns a buttload off YouTube ads as well. Sony owns a stake in Vevo LLC.

 

[rick64]

Wonder how much May, Taylor and Deacon get? Would Freddie's estate or something get any?

 

[BigBlueFanGA]

Wonder how much May, Taylor and Deacon get? Would Freddie's estate or something get any?

Queen members were equal partners. Each get 25% with 75% of Freddie's going to Mary.

 

[gobigblue812]

They charge an exorbitant fee for whenever a movie, tv show, etc want to use a Queen song.

And commercials.

 

[Glenn's take]

I love Queen and Another One Bites the Dust was the greatest roller skating song in all my time doing that but I have never seen a movie or bought a product because of a song. The Pixies are one of my all time favorite bands and their biggest song is what I think is the main song from the movie Fight Club but it's never even crossed my mind to watch that movie.

 

[the nail at the foul line]

Magnetic take G.

 

[bigbluedon]

Radio Ga Ga. Best song ever. Watch it on the Live at Wembley Stadium dvd and you will feel like you are there. Just awesome.

 

[WTF Cat]

Wonder how much May, Taylor and Deacon get? Would Freddie's estate or something get any?

Depends on how they split the songwriting credits.

According to Roger Taylor, Queen has always split their songwriting credits equally.

 

[CaptainBoogerBuns]

Can I pay them not to play Another One Bites the Dust?

I like Queen a lot.

That and Bohemian Rhapsody are unflushable turds