Approved · Notification · Phase 1 · decided in 22 days, 10 July 2026
UnclassifiedMN-75023ACCC register
German multinational Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA is merging its Bertelsmann Music Group with Axton Holdings, LLC's Concord music publishing and recording businesses. The transaction involves incorporating a new holding company, New MusicCo, to which both parties will contribute their respective music assets. Both operate in Australia.
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.