Warner’s eye still on EMI
WARNER Music Group refuses to surrender its thirst for British record label EMI, whose recorded music business is set to go to Universal Music for £1.2bn following November’s bidding war.
Warner Music is reportedly lobbying Brussels to block Universal’s takeover of the record label behind Coldplay and The Beatles, alongside indie music representative Impala.
But an Impala spokesperson told City A.M.: “There is absolutely no link between Warner and us on that. We both have very different reasons to oppose the move.”
Warner is said to have expressed an interest in buying major parts of EMI if Universal’s bid is approved and the music giant is required to sell some assets to appease competition issues.
A Universal spokesperson said Warner’s wave-making is unlikely to affect the European Commission’s decision: “We have a strong case and we’re confident it will get clearance.”
Warner Music was unavailable for comment.