iWorld
Amazon prime music inks a deal with zee music company
MUMBAI: Amazon today announced a content deal with Zee Music Company that will add over 450 film soundtracks in Hindi & regional languages alongside 250 Independent artist content thus adding to the wide catalogue of millions of Indian and International songs on Amazon Prime Music. Soon to be launched as a Prime benefit at no additional cost, the Amazon Prime Music will be home to several well-known, latest movie soundtracks like Padman, Half Girlfriend, Baar Baar Dekho, Udta Punjab, Sairat, Raees, Dangal and will also host upcoming releases like Student of the Year 2, Aiyaary, Drive, Gold, Dhadak, Pari, Parmanu, Manikarnika & more for Prime members to listen to, ad free.
Amazon Music, Director, Sahas Malhotra, India commented, “We are thrilled to partner with Zee Music to strengthen Amazon Prime Music’s catalog for our customers. At launch, Amazon Prime Music customers can enjoy listening to all the hits and forthcoming releases from Zee Music’s catalog ad-free, at no additional cost for our Prime members. Amazon Prime Music in addition to offering unlimited, on demand access to millions of Indian and international songs across varied genres and languages will also offer customers hundreds of especially hand-curated playlists and stations to enjoy their favorite music”.
“Music streaming has become a large & popular way of listening to music in India and we are excited about bringing a wide selection of songs from our label on Amazon Prime Music that will reach out to an already existing, and fast-growing base of Prime members in India. We believe the digital experience would take our music to the next level of the popularity in India”, Zee Music Company – Business Head – Anurag Bedi said.
Zee Music Company is one of India’s most exciting music labels and has established a strong foothold in the Indian Music Industry. Their Hindi catalog boasts of hits from Half Girlfriend, Baar Baar Dekho, Udta Punjab, Raees, Rustom, Dangal, Secret Superstar and many more. Zee Music Company has also been steadily increasing its footprint in building its regional repertoire. It currently has tracks across various regional languages including Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Punjabi, Bengali and many more.
Amazon Prime already offers unlimited free One-day and Two-day delivery over 11 million products online to over 100 cities, 30 minutes early access for members on top deals and more benefits for an unparalleled shopping experience and instant access to latest movies and TV shows. Customers who are not already Prime members can learn more about the program at www.amazon.in/prime
iWorld
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square makes $64 billion bid to acquire Universal Music Group
Ackman pitches NYSE relisting plan as UMG board weighs unsolicited offer
The hedge fund has proposed a business combination that values UMG at €30.40 per share, representing a hefty 78 per cent premium to its current trading price. The offer includes €9.4 billion in cash alongside stock in a newly formed entity, with shareholders set to receive €5.05 per share in cash and 0.77 shares in the new company for each UMG share they hold.
Under the proposal, UMG would merge with Pershing Square SPARC Holdings Ltd and re-emerge as a Nevada-based entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The move is designed to boost investor visibility and potentially secure inclusion in major indices such as the S&P 500.
Pershing Square Capital Management ceo Bill Ackman argued that while UMG’s operational performance remains strong, its market valuation has lagged due to external factors. “UMG’s stock price has languished due to a combination of issues that are unrelated to the performance of its music business,” Ackman said, pointing to concerns ranging from shareholder overhang to delayed US listing plans.
Ackman also flagged what he sees as untapped potential in UMG’s balance sheet and a lack of clear capital allocation strategy. He added that the market has not fully recognised the value of UMG’s €2.7 billion stake in Spotify, alongside gaps in investor communication.
The proposed transaction would also result in the cancellation of around 17 per cent of UMG’s outstanding shares, while maintaining its investment-grade balance sheet. Pershing Square has said it will fully backstop the equity financing, with debt commitments secured at signing. The deal is targeted for completion by the end of the year.
UMG, however, has struck a measured tone. The company confirmed that its board has received the non-binding proposal and will review it with advisers. It reiterated confidence in its current strategy and leadership under Lucian Grainge, signalling no immediate shift in stance.
The proposal comes at a time when global music companies are navigating evolving investor expectations, streaming economics and capital allocation pressures. For Pershing Square, the bet is clear: sharpen the financial story, relist in the US, and let the music play louder in the markets.
Whether UMG’s board is ready to change the tune remains to be seen, but the spotlight on its valuation just got a lot brighter.
