"In a ten-year creative drought, Britney Spears has reportedly sold the rights to her music catalog. The buyer is Primary Wave, a leading independent publisher. The news is anonymously sourced, unconfirmed by principals at the time of this post. The price is disappointingly but understandably not publicized. But these acquisitions typically cost many multiples of annual earnings. Also unreported: Whether only some, or all rights have been transferred; original recorded music is a complicated product."
"Below is an (undated) list of just a few high-profile catalog sales: Queen: Sold their catalog for a record $1.27 billion in 2024. Bruce Springsteen: Sold his entire catalog to Sony Music for an estimated $550 million in 2021. Michael Jackson (Estate): Sold 50% stake in his catalog for an estimated $600 million in 2024. Bob Dylan: Sold his publishing to Universal for $300M+ and recordings to Sony for $150M-$200M."
"It is not unusual for original star music collections to transfer for hundreds of millions of dollars. Justin Bieber: Sold his catalog to Hipgnosis for over $200 million. Katy Perry: Sold her catalog to Litmus Music for $225 million. Shakira: Sold her catalog to Hipgnosis. KISS: Sold their catalog, brand, and IP to Pophouse Entertainment. Neil Young: Sold 50% of his catalog to Hipgnosis."
Britney Spears has reportedly sold rights to her music catalog to Primary Wave amid a ten-year creative drought, with sourcing anonymous and principals unconfirmed at posting. The sale price has not been publicized, though such acquisitions generally command many multiples of annual earnings. It remains unclear whether partial or full rights were transferred, given the complexity of original recorded music ownership. Catalog transactions frequently reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Recent high-profile catalog sales include Queen ($1.27 billion), Bruce Springsteen (~$550 million), Michael Jackson Estate (50% for ~$600 million), Bob Dylan (publishing $300M+, recordings $150–200M), and others.
Read at RAIN News
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