iWorld
Amazon Prime brings Venus Music’s 1990s, 2000s tracks to life
MUMBAI: Amazon Prime Music announced that it is reviving Venus Music’s catalogue of thousands of tracks to its Indian and international selection. Amazon Prime Music will now offer the popular tracks that ruled the Indian music industry in the 90s and 2000s, all ad-free.
Amazon Music India Director Sahas Malhotra said, “Amazon Prime Music continues to strengthen its catalogue across the decades of 90s and 00s as well as its selection in Hindi, Marathi, Bhojpuri and Punjabi languages to ensure we offer the best selection to our customers. With the addition of Venus Music, Prime members will have access to super hits from Dil Se, Baazigar, Yes Boss and several other Bollywood hits curated across hundreds of playlists and stations.”
“We are very excited to announce our collaboration with Amazon Prime Music and offer our rich catalogue of classics with the upcoming new releases to the Prime customer. We are looking forward for this association with Amazon Prime Music to be highly successful and we continue in our endeavor to entertain the music lovers across the country,” said Venus Music Digital Head Girish Jain.
With over thousands of tracks in Hindi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Bengali, Marathi and other regional languages across genres, Venus Music is home to many iconic hits by artists like AR Rahman, Jagjit Singh, Nadeem Shravan, Anu Malik, Bappi Lahiri, Pritam, Sajid-Wajid, Himesh Reshammiya among many other top music composers. Music listeners will now enjoy tracks along with a selection of ghazals and devotional music, curated into playlists and stations by Amazon Music experts.
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.
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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.
