Universal Music Group

Please note the takeover of the PolyGram group did not happen until early 1999 so if a label from that group (Mercury, Polydor, Decca, Verve Records, Philips etc) appears it is 1999 or later. Also, a 7 digit catalogue number xxxxxx-x is listed it indicates the release is using the adopted PolyGram system so it's 1999 or later.

The B00xxxxxx sequence of catalogue numbers dates from early 2003.

This should only be used as a label if the release carries a logo with the exact wording "Universal Music Group" as part of the logo.

If it carries another applicable Universal label/imprint, please use that as the primary label for new entries.

The music operations company is UMG Recordings, Inc.

History

The Universal Music Group was formed in December 1996 by Seagram. Seagram, who had acquired MCA Inc. in April 1995, renamed their MCA Music Entertainment Group to Universal Music Group.

In 1998 Seagram acquired Polygram and subsequently merged it with the Universal Music Group to form the world's largest recorded music business. The takeover was in January 1999 so any PolyGram derived catalogue and the PolyGram styled catalogue numbers (xxxxxx-x) are 1999 or later.