Music catalogs have always been a crucial part of the music industry, but in recent years, they have quietly become one of the most valuable assets in entertainment. With the rise of streaming services and the decline of physical album sales, music catalogs have become a major source of revenue for artists, labels, and publishers. And at the forefront of this shift is Golnar Khosrowshahi, founder and CEO of Reservoir Media.
In a recent interview with Billboard On The Record, Khosrowshahi shared her insights on the current state of music ownership and how she has built Reservoir Media into a powerhouse in the music catalog space.
Before founding Reservoir Media in 2007, Khosrowshahi had already established herself as a successful music executive, working at various major labels and publishers. But she saw a gap in the market for a company that focused solely on music rights and ownership. And thus, Reservoir Media was born.
At the time, music catalogs were not seen as a lucrative investment. But Khosrowshahi saw the potential and began acquiring catalogs from independent labels and publishers. She also signed deals with songwriters and artists, giving them the opportunity to retain ownership of their music while still benefiting from Reservoir’s expertise and resources.
This unique approach proved to be successful, and Reservoir Media quickly became a major player in the music industry. Today, the company boasts a catalog of over 110,000 songs, including hits from artists like Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and John Legend.
But what sets Reservoir Media apart from other music companies is their focus on long-term ownership. While many labels and publishers are quick to sell their catalogs for a large sum of money, Reservoir takes a different approach. Khosrowshahi believes in the value of owning music rights for the long haul, as they continue to generate revenue for years to come.
In the interview, Khosrowshahi also discussed the impact of streaming on music ownership. With the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, the way people consume music has drastically changed. And with that, the value of music catalogs has increased. As Khosrowshahi puts it, “Streaming has made music catalogs more valuable than ever before.”
But with this increase in value comes competition. Major labels and tech companies are now vying for a piece of the music catalog pie. However, Khosrowshahi remains confident in Reservoir’s position in the market. She believes that their focus on long-term ownership and their strong relationships with artists and songwriters set them apart from the competition.
As for the future of music ownership, Khosrowshahi sees a continued growth in the value of music catalogs. With the rise of new technologies and platforms, there are endless opportunities for music to be used and monetized. And Reservoir Media is at the forefront of this ever-evolving landscape.
In conclusion, Golnar Khosrowshahi and Reservoir Media have proven to be pioneers in the music catalog space. Their unique approach to ownership and their ability to adapt to the changing music industry have solidified their position as a powerhouse in the entertainment world. As music catalogs continue to shape the future of the industry, it’s clear that Khosrowshahi and Reservoir Media will be leading the way.
