Virgin Music Group Acquires Downtown Music Holdings

The European Commission approves the deal, creating a global powerhouse for independent artists and labels.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Virgin Music Group (VMG) and Downtown Music Holdings LLC (Downtown) have received approval from the European Commission for VMG's acquisition of Downtown. The deal will bring together two leading providers of music services and technology, enhancing their offerings and capabilities to serve the independent music community. The transaction is expected to close in the coming weeks.

Why it matters

The combination of VMG and Downtown will create a more powerful, open ecosystem that offers independent artists, labels, and entrepreneurs greater resources, investment, and technology to succeed on their own terms. This deal strengthens the position of the independent music sector, which has been increasingly important in driving innovation and diversity in the industry.

The details

The acquisition will allow VMG and Downtown to offer a broader, more flexible suite of services across digital and physical distribution, marketing, business intelligence, neighboring rights, synchronization, royalties, and publishing rights management. Downtown collectively serves over 5,000 business clients and more than four million creators in 145 countries, with core divisions in Artist & Label Services, Distribution, and Music Publishing.

  • The European Commission approved the acquisition on February 13, 2026.
  • The transaction is expected to close in the coming weeks.

The players

Virgin Music Group

One of the world's leading partners to independent music companies and artists, offering global infrastructure and local expertise in every major music market.

Downtown Music Holdings

The world's leading music services company, supporting millions of creators, rights holders, and their partners to manage their music as a business and get paid fairly for their work.

Nat Pastor

Co-CEO of Virgin Music Group.

JT Myers

Co-CEO of Virgin Music Group.

Pieter van Rijn

CEO of Downtown Music.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Bringing Downtown's exceptional team and capabilities to Virgin Music Group means greater flexibility and a sharper set of services for independent entrepreneurs, artists and labels. By uniting two culturally compatible companies with deeply complementary strengths, we're creating a more powerful, more open ecosystem that offers independent entrepreneurs the resources, investment and technology to succeed on their own terms.”

— Nat Pastor, Co-CEO of Virgin Music Group (PRNewswire)

“By joining forces with Virgin Music Group, we're helping build a more diverse, dynamic and opportunity-rich environment—one that amplifies independence and expands the cultural impact of the extraordinary partners we serve. We're delighted to enter this next chapter of Downtown's evolution and work closely with Nat, JT and the wider Virgin team to continue championing independent music on a truly global scale.”

— Pieter van Rijn, CEO of Downtown Music (PRNewswire)

What’s next

The transaction is expected to close in the coming weeks, after which Curve Royalties will be held as a separate business until its divestment.

The takeaway

This acquisition strengthens the position of the independent music sector, creating a more powerful, open ecosystem that offers independent artists, labels, and entrepreneurs greater resources, investment, and technology to succeed on their own terms. The combined capabilities of Virgin Music Group and Downtown Music Holdings will empower the independent community on a truly global scale.