Business Segments · Amortization expense
Recorded Music — Amortization expense
Warner Music Group Recorded Music — Amortization expense increased by 8.8% to $37.00M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 12.1%, from $33.00M to $37.00M. Over 3 years (FY 2021 to FY 2024), Recorded Music — Amortization expense shows a downward trend with a -5.4% CAGR.
Analysis
StatementSegment
CategoryEfficiency
SignalContext dependent
VolatilityStable
First reportedQ1 2016
Last reportedQ2 2026May 7, 2026
Rolls up toD&A
How to read this metric
Stable amortization is expected for established catalogs, while sudden spikes may indicate changes in the valuation or useful life estimates of assets.
Detailed definition
The systematic allocation of the cost of intangible assets, such as artist contracts and music catalogs, over their esti...
Peer comparison
Standard accounting practice for companies with significant intellectual property portfolios.
Metric ID:
wmg_segment_recorded_music_amortization_expenseHistorical Data
18 periods
| 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 | $39.00M | $40.00M | $40.00M | $47.00M | $46.00M | $43.00M | $41.00M | $39.00M | $41.00M | $34.00M | $31.75M | $31.75M | $31.75M | $31.75M | $30.00M | $33.00M | $34.00M | $37.00M |
| QoQ Change | — | +2.6% | +0.0% | +17.5% | -2.1% | -6.5% | -4.7% | -4.9% | +5.1% | -17.1% | -6.6% | +0.0% | +0.0% | +0.0% | -5.5% | +10.0% | +3.0% | +8.8% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +17.9% | +7.5% | +2.5% | -17.0% | -10.9% | -20.9% | -22.6% | -18.6% | -22.6% | -6.6% | -5.5% | +3.9% | +13.3% | +12.1% |
Range$30.00M – $47.00M
CAGR-1.2%
Avg YoY Growth-4.8%
Median YoY Growth-6.1%
Current Streak3 quarters growth
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Warner Music Group's recorded music — amortization expense?
- Warner Music Group (WMG) reported recorded music — amortization expense of $37.00M in Q1 2026.
- How has Warner Music Group's recorded music — amortization expense changed year-over-year?
- Warner Music Group's recorded music — amortization expense increased by 12.1% year-over-year, from $33.00M to $37.00M.
- What is the long-term trend for Warner Music Group's recorded music — amortization expense?
- Over 3 years (2021 to 2024), Warner Music Group's recorded music — amortization expense has grown at a -5.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $150.00M to $127.00M.
- What does recorded music — amortization expense mean?
- The periodic expense recognized for the gradual consumption of intangible assets like music catalogs.