Blackstone considers takeover of EMI

MUSIC group EMI could face a takeover move from a US private equity group if it fails in its bid for the recorded music division of Time Warner, according to reports.

The Blackstone Group may make a €2.1-billion play for London-based EMI if a rival consortium beats it in the battle for the recorded music division of the Warner Music Group, one Sunday newspaper claimed.

Another report said EMI may seek merger talks with the rival consortium, an investor group headed by former Seagram chief executive Edgar Bronfman Jr, in order to net the division.