Bertelsmann denies EMI merger
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BERTELSMANN, the German media group, last night denied it was considering a pounds 6bn merger with EMI, the British music company. Sunday newspaper reports claimed that EMI and Bertelsmann, the world's third-largest media company, had held talks that could lead to a merger or an alliance. A Bertelsmann spokesman said: "The report is nonsense. We deny intentions to co-operate or merge with EMI. We are not in talks and don't have any intentions. Our own music and video unit BMG is big enough and our goal is to optimise BMG's profit.''
EMI admitted there had been one informal meeting between the two companies but said no proposals had been made.
Merger speculation has swirled around EMI - which last year broke off talks with Seagram - for many months. On Friday, its shares surged by 17 per cent on rumours that Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation was considering taking a stake in the company. However, EMI later denied it had been talking to News Corp. A statement read: "EMI wishes to confirm that no such discussions have taken place.''
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments