EU approves Sony, BMG merger

The European Union has approved the merger of Sony Music and Bertelsmann AG’s BMG unit in a deal that gives the four “majors” control of about 80% of the world music market, Bertelsmann said tonight.

“The merger was approved without conditions,” said spokesman Oliver Herrgesell.

The European Commission had been widely expected to endorse competition chief Mario Monti’s decision in June to approve the merger.

The deal leaves 80% of the market in the hands of four groups: Sony-BMG, Vivendi Universal, EMI and Warner Music. Sony-BMG and Vivendi Universal now control about a quarter each.