BMG Music Publishing has clinched a worldwide deal to sub-publish the music catalog of Endemol, the giant TV production company responsible for global programming brands such as “Big Brother,” “Deal or No Deal” and “Fear Factor.”
Endemol is aggressively building its catalog from the soundtracks of its growing number of TV shows. Until now, it has handled the rights clearance for other companies using its TV formats around the world.
But as Endemol expands into new territories, it has called on BMG Music Publishing’s expertise to help oversee the international distribution of its music rights.
“Endemol has been publishing the majority of its music, but it is unable to do so in some territories,” Endemol’s Hilversum-based music manager Mark Vermaat tells Billboard.biz. “In those territories, BMG will be publishing on our behalf and administrate our music rights in countries where we have no office or our offices are too small.”
For example, Endemol’s operations in the United States, the Netherlands and Spain are big enough to handle the local music publishing. But, in the United Kingdom, however, Endemol does not have the expertise and will be relying on BMG’s sub-publishing role.
One of the other regions to be immediately covered by BMG Publishing will be Asia, where Endemol South East Asia has a TV-program licensing office in Thailand.
In addition to sub-publishing Endemol’s music, BMG will be invited to become creatively involved in program-making by giving advice on some of the music Endemol should use in its programs.
“TV continues to be one of the key growth areas for music publishers and our alliance with Endemol fits perfectly into BMG Music Publishing’s long-term strategy,” said Simon Mortimer, VP business development of BMG Music Publishing Worldwide.
