BMG and production/distribution company ITV Studios have entered a global deal that will cover recordings, publishing, production music and synch, the companies announced today (July 1).
“Music is a key part of the world-class programs our talented production teams around the globe create to entertain millions of viewers,” ITV chief operating officer David McGraynor said in a statement. “BMG demonstrated that they understood our music challenges and have come to the table with innovative solutions. We are looking forward to connecting our teams and working with everyone at BMG around the world to make this partnership a huge success.”
“Entering into such a comprehensive partnership in the middle of the pandemic when we can’t all be in the same room together is an incredible testament to BMG and ITV Studios’ ability to work in a coordinated way across all business segments,” BMG U.K. president repertoire & marketing Alistair Norbury added. “The partnership opens up a great opportunity for our artists and songwriter clients to maximize their exposure to television audiences. I would like to thank ITV Studios for their faith in BMG.”
The deal will also cover publishing and administration for future commissioned works, a joint-venture production music label and a new, customized online platform that can act as a “one-stop shop for ITV Studios’ creative teams,” according to a press release, allowing them to easily search BMG’s catalog. ITV will also get preferential treatment in getting access to BMG’s production music catalog, and access to BMG’s myBMG royalty portal.
“Not only does this deal slingshot our production music business to an almost immediate, market-leading position in the U.K., but with ITV Studios already established as a prominent international production company, we are excited to play a significant, mutually beneficial role in further advancing ITV Studios’ music strategy around the world,” said BMG Production Music executive vp/global managing director John Clifford.
