
Who Owns Big Machine Records? The Story Behind the Label's Ownership
Big Machine Records, one of the most influential record labels in country music, is currently owned by Hybe Corporation through its subsidiary Hybe America. The ownership changed hands in June 2019 when Scooter Braun's Ithaca Holdings acquired the label for $300 million, and subsequently, in April 2021, Hybe Corporation purchased Ithaca Holdings for $1.05 billion.
The label was originally founded in 2005 by Scott Borchetta, who served as its president and CEO. During his leadership, Big Machine became renowned for launching Taylor Swift's career and representing numerous country music stars. Borchetta maintained control of the company until the 2019 sale to Ithaca Holdings.
The current ownership structure can be broken down as follows:
- Hybe Corporation (Parent Company) - Hybe America (Direct Owner) - Big Machine Label Group (Operating Entity)
Under the present ownership, Big Machine continues to operate as an independent label while benefiting from Hybe's global resources and infrastructure. Scott Borchetta remains involved with the company as president and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group, overseeing daily operations and artist development.
The label maintains its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, and continues to be a major force in country music, representing artists such as Thomas Rhett, Florida Georgia Line, and Lady A. While the ownership has changed, the label's core mission of developing and promoting country music talent remains unchanged.
This ownership arrangement represents a significant intersection of Korean entertainment industry (through Hybe, which is also known for managing BTS) and American country music, creating one of the most interesting cross-cultural partnerships in the modern music industry.
I should note that despite the ownership changes, Big Machine Records maintains its status as one of the largest independent record labels in North America, with its success built on a strong roster of country music artists and a proven track record in artist development.
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