Sony Music Publishing

Lore & Background

The company's roots trace to ATV Music, which began when British broadcaster Associated Television (ATV) entered music publishing in 1966. ATV acquired Northern Songs in 1969, gaining control of the Lennon–McCartney song catalog after a failed bid by John Lennon and Paul McCartney to retain ownership. ATV Music remained successful through the 1970s largely due to that catalog. In 1985, Michael Jackson purchased ATV Music for $47.5 million, outbidding competitors including a consortium led by Charles Koppelman and Marty Bandier. Jackson had earlier told McCartney he would buy the Beatles' songs one day.

In 1995, Sony Music Publishing merged with Jackson's ATV Music to form Sony/ATV Music Publishing. In 2012, an investor consortium led by Sony/ATV acquired EMI Music Publishing, making the company the largest music publishing administrator in the world with a library of over three million songs. In April 2019, Jon Platt became CEO/Chairman after the contract of longtime CEO/Chairman Martin Bandier expired. In August 2019, management of Sony/ATV and Sony Music Entertainment were merged under the newly formed Sony Music Group.

Reader's Guide

Sony Music Publishing's significance lies in its unprecedented scale and its control of the Lennon–McCartney song catalog, one of the most valuable and culturally important song collections in popular music. The company's formation from the merger of Sony's publishing arm and Michael Jackson's ATV Music created a powerhouse that, after acquiring EMI Music Publishing in 2012, became the world's largest music publishing administrator. Its catalog of over six million songs as of 2025 gives it immense influence over licensing, synchronization, and royalty collection across the global music industry. The company's history also illustrates the complex interplay between artists, corporations, and intellectual property rights, particularly through the contested ownership of the Beatles' songs. As part of Sony Music Group, it continues to shape how music is monetized and distributed in the digital age.

Did You Know?

• Michael Jackson purchased ATV Music for $47.5 million on August 10, 1985, after Paul McCartney declined to bid, calling it 'too pricey.'
• The only Beatles song excluded from the sale of Northern Songs was 'Penny Lane,' which was gifted by seller Robert Holmes à Court to his teenage daughter.
• Jon Platt became CEO/Chairman of Sony/ATV Music Publishing in April 2019 after the contract of longtime CEO/Chairman Martin Bandier expired.