Major Labels
- Major labels 1988–1998 (Big Six)
- Warner Music Group
- EMI
- Sony Music
- BMG Music
- Universal Music Group
- Polygram
- Major labels 1998–2004 (Big Five)
- Warner Music Group
- EMI
- Sony Music
- BMG Music
- Universal Music Group
- Major labels 2004–2008 (Big Four)
- Universal Music Group
- Sony BMG
- Warner Music Group
- EMI
- Major labels 2008–2012 (Big Four)
- Universal Music Group
- Sony Music Entertainment
- Warner Music Group
- EMI
- Major labels since 2012 (Big Three)
- Universal Music Group
- Sony Music Entertainment
- Warner Music Group
Record labels are often under the control of a corporate umbrella organization called a "music group". A music group is typically owned by an international conglomerate "holding company", which often has non-music divisions as well. A music group controls and consists of music publishing companies, record (sound recording) manufacturers, record distributors, and record labels. As of 2007, the "big four" music groups control about 70% of the world music market, and about 80% of the United States music market.Record companies (manufacturers, distributors, and labels) may also comprise a "record group" which is, in turn, controlled by a music group. The constituent companies in a music group or record group are sometimes marketed as being "divisions" of the group.
Read more about this topic: Record Label
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