Active research task

4 major record labels:

Sony Music Entertainment
EMI Group
Warner Music Group
Universal Music Group

Some artists signed to-

Sony Music Entertainment:
AC/DC, Britney Spears, Foo Fighters, Glee, Kings of Leon

EMI Group:
The Beatles, Nickelback, Gorillaz

Warner Music Group:
Michael Buble, Flo Rida, Linkin Park, Madonna

Universal Music Group:
ABBA, Blink 182, Eminem, Green Day

Subsidary record labels owned by-

Sony Music Entertainment:
Columbia, Epic, Syco, RCA

EMI Group:
Capitol, Virgin, Parlophone

Warner Music Group:
Atlantic, Roadrunner, Warner Bros., Atco

Universal Music Group:
Geffen, DCG, Interscope, Polydor, Island

Major challenges for major record labels in recent years:

Illegal downloads, plummeting sales, new types of deals with artists, traditional mass media audiences are falling as technology and entertainment options increase, major record labels are weak in the new media sector where new acts and independents are strong, thin profits, their core market (CD albums) has a limited lifespan now that digital distribution is at 15% of revenue and rising, major record company costs are out of control, they can no longer make money on sub-platinum releases