Major
Related: mainstream - record label
The big four record labels
They are commonly referred to as the 'majors'. The "Big Four" record companies which hold over 75% of the market share ($25 billion market). (Compare with the "Big Six" film companies.) These are:- Universal Music Group ($7 billion revenue), which includes A&M, Decca/London, Deutsche Grammophon, Island/Def Jam, MCA, Motown, Philips, Rampagge, and others;
- Sony BMG Music Entertainment ($5 billion), which includes American Columbia, Epic, Arista, Jive, Ravenous, J, RCA and others;
- EMI Group ($4 billion), which includes Angel, Blue Note, Capitol, European Columbia, Elektrola, Odeon, Parlophone, Pathé Marconi, Virgin, Positiva and others;
- Warner Music Group (a.k.a. WEA) ($2.5 billion), which includes Asylum, Elektra, Erato, Atlantic, Sire, Sub Pop (49% Warner ownership), Reprise, Rhino and others.
See also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_record_labels
The Big Six
The Big Six refers to the six corporations which own the major movie studios based in or around Hollywood, California, the traditional home of American cinema. --http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Six_%28movie_studio_corporations%29 [Mar 2006]
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