Last Friday afternoon the European Commission finally approved the deal for Universal Music Group to purchase EMI after months of deliberation.
The deal was approved on the provision that that Universal sell a third of EMI's assets. Those assets include Parlophone and other labels around Europe, as well as the rights to release music around the world by some of EMI's most lucrative acts, including Coldplay, David Guetta and Pink Floyd.
Considering the deal was worth 1.9 billion, Universal's owner Vivendi will be keen to make as much or more on the sale of assets purchased. The question now remains as to who will purchase the assets and for what price. It is unlikely Universal will part with any assets for less than what they paid which was around 7 times the annual revenue generated from said assets.
