Hive Signs Exclusive Global Distribution Deal for Albums and Digital Music with Universal Music Group

10 Years of Global Distribution of HYBE Physical Albums and Digital Music

From the left, Bang Si-hyuk, Chairman of HYBE; Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group; Scooter Braun, CEO of HYBE America
Photo by HYBE

HYBE has joined hands with the world's largest music company, Universal Music Group (UMG), to strengthen the global influence of K-pop.

On the 27th, HYBE announced that it has signed an exclusive global distribution contract for music recordings with UMG. For the next 10 years, UMG will exclusively distribute physical albums and digital music released by HYBE's labels in the global market. Additionally, UMG will support promotion and marketing activities for HYBE artists in the North American region.

UMG is the world's largest music label and music distribution company. The relationship with HYBE began in 2017 through a distribution contract for BTS's Japanese music recordings. In 2021, the partnership between Geffen Records, a group under UMG, and HYBE's joint label 'HYBE x Geffen Records' further solidified their relationship. HYBE x Geffen Records also held 'The Debut: Dream Academy' audition last year to transplant K-pop methodology into the birthplace of pop music, the United States. The final six selected through the audition are scheduled to debut this year with 'Cats Eye.'

HYBE plans to accelerate its global expansion strategy through this collaboration. The music distribution contract, signed under conditions comparable to those of top-tier global music companies, applies not only to existing labels but also to new labels incorporated under HYBE. This means that labels newly established by or joining HYBE in the future can also utilize UMG's global infrastructure.

HYBE and UMG have also agreed to seek synergy effects in the platform domain. The two companies will discuss various cooperation plans, including the inclusion of UMG artists on Weverse.

Bang Si-hyuk, Chairman of HYBE, said, "HYBE has secured immense growth potential through a partnership with UMG, the most iconic company in the music industry. I am confident that this partnership, based on mutual commitment, will have a positive impact on artists, fans, and the entire music industry ecosystem."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.