Processing timeline
6
days
Filed
18 June 2026
Decision Due
30 July 2026
Est decision date: 19 July 2026. Based on 16 decided Professional & Business Services notifications.
Acquirer(s)
Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA HRB 9194, Axton Holdings, LLC CRN: 7039521
Target(s) or Vendor(s)
Reinhard Mohn Nederland B.V. (formerly ROW HoldCo B.V.) Company Number: 42027204, BMG LP [New MusicCo], Alchemy Copyrights LLC Company Number: 5614268, BMG Rights Management (US), LLC 4645458
Other parties
None listed
German multinational Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA and Axton Holdings, LLC are merging their music publishing and recording businesses, Bertelsmann Music Group and Concord. The transaction involves incorporating a new holding company, to which both parties will contribute their respective music recording and publishing operations.
Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA ( Bertelsmann ) proposes to merge its music publishing and recording business, Bertelsmann Music Group ( BMG ), with the music publishing and recording business operated under the Concord label and trademark ( Concord ), which is currently majority owned and controlled by Axton Holdings, LLC ( Axton ). The proposed merger transaction will involve Bertelsmann and Axton incorporating a new holding company ( New MusicCo ), to which both Bertelsmann – via subsidiaries comprising BMG – and Axton via Concord will contribute their respective music recording and publishing businesses (the Merger ). Bertelsmann is a German multinational media corporation. BMG is the music publishing and music recording division of Bertelsmann. In Australia, BMG acquires rights from songwriters and composers and supplies music publishing services and recorded music products. Concord is an independent, US-based music publishing and recording company supporting artists globally. In Australia, Concord supplies music publishing services and recorded music products.
The ACCC has prepared a questionnaire on the Merger. Submissions or information in response to the questionnaire should be provided by 26 June 2026 via email to mergers@accc.gov.au with the title Submission re: Bertelsmann Music Group - Concord . The ACCC’s ability to give detailed consideration to submissions received after this time may be limited.