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Sony’s Global Music Biz Revenue Tops $3.53 Billion on 36% Surge in Vinyl, Live, Merch Sales
Sony’s global music business reported quarterly revenue of 562 billion yen (£2.8 billion/$3.53 billion), up 20% year on year, driven by streaming, live events, merchandise and physical sales. The performance lifted music to Sony’s second-largest division by sales after Games & Network Services and led the company to raise its full-year sales and operating-income forecasts.
Recorded-music streaming revenue rose 21% to 237.1 billion yen, while other recorded-music sales—covering physical products, downloads, live performances and merchandise—increased 36% to 143.9 billion yen; physical sales alone grew 14%. Publishing revenue climbed 17.5% to 116 billion yen, operating income rose 14% to 105.9 billion yen, and Sony also completed a roughly $3.9 billion music-catalogue acquisition, reportedly linked to Recognition Music Group’s assets.
In short
- Sony music revenue rose 20% to $3.53 billion.
- Live, merchandise and vinyl-related sales grew strongly.
- Sony raised its full-year financial outlook.
Explained simply
Sony’s music business spans recorded music, music publishing and related activities. Recorded music includes albums and singles released on streaming services and physical formats, while publishing involves the rights to songs and the income they generate when those songs are used.
Artists, songwriters and record labels can earn money when people stream or buy music, attend live performances, or purchase merchandise. Publishers and rights owners also collect fees when songs are used in settings such as broadcasts and public performances.
Sony is a major global music company, alongside businesses such as Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. Its music division sits within a wider company that also makes games, electronics and films, so its results affect Sony’s overall finances and reflect how income from music is changing.