Music Publishing — Amortization expense
Warner Music Group Music Publishing — Amortization expense increased by 2.9% to $35.00M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 20.7%, from $29.00M to $35.00M. Over 3 years (FY 2021 to FY 2024), Music Publishing — Amortization expense shows an upward trend with a 7.4% CAGR. This increase may warrant attention — for this metric, lower values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase indicates higher investment in acquiring music catalogs, while a decrease may suggest fewer acquisitions or fully amortized assets.
Detailed definition
Represents the systematic allocation of the cost of intangible assets, such as music copyrights and publishing catalogs,...
Peer comparison
Standard across major music labels like Universal Music Group or Sony Music, reflecting catalog acquisition strategies.
wmg_segment_music_publishing_amortization_expenseHistorical Data
| Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q1 '26 | Q2 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $21.00M | $19.00M | $20.00M | $22.00M | $23.00M | $22.00M | $22.00M | $22.00M | $23.00M | $23.00M | $24.50M | $24.50M | $24.50M | $24.50M | $26.00M | $29.00M | $34.00M | $35.00M |
| QoQ Change | — | -9.5% | +5.3% | +10.0% | +4.5% | -4.3% | +0.0% | +0.0% | +4.5% | +0.0% | +6.5% | +0.0% | +0.0% | +0.0% | +6.1% | +11.5% | +17.2% | +2.9% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +9.5% | +15.8% | +10.0% | +0.0% | +0.0% | +4.5% | +11.4% | +11.4% | +6.5% | +6.5% | +6.1% | +18.4% | +30.8% | +20.7% |
Similar Metrics at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Warner Music Group's music publishing — amortization expense?
- Warner Music Group (WMG) reported music publishing — amortization expense of $35.00M in Q1 2026.
- How has Warner Music Group's music publishing — amortization expense changed year-over-year?
- Warner Music Group's music publishing — amortization expense increased by 20.7% year-over-year, from $29.00M to $35.00M.
- What is the long-term trend for Warner Music Group's music publishing — amortization expense?
- Over 3 years (2021 to 2024), Warner Music Group's music publishing — amortization expense has grown at a 7.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $79.00M to $98.00M.
- What does music publishing — amortization expense mean?
- The annual non-cash cost of writing down the value of acquired music publishing assets.