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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2020

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER THE

SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

Warner Music Group Corp.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware

7900

13-4271875

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

1633 Broadway

New York, New York 10019

(212) 275-2000

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

Paul M. Robinson, Esq.

Executive Vice President and General Counsel and Secretary

Trent N. Tappe, Esq.

Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer

1633 Broadway

New York, New York 10019

(212) 275-2000

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Matthew E. Kaplan, Esq.

Eric T. Juergens, Esq.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

919 Third Avenue

New York, New York 10022

(212) 909-6000

Michael Kaplan, Esq.

Derek Dostal, Esq.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
450 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
(212) 450-4000

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box. ☐

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer	☒	Smaller reporting company ☐

		Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE



Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered	Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price⁽¹⁾⁽²⁾	Amount of Registration Fee
Class A common stock, par value $ per share	$100,000,000	$12,980

(1)	Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(o) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(2)	Includes shares of Class A common stock subject to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. The selling stockholders may not sell these securities until the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission declares our registration statement effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting offers to buy these securities in any state or jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 6, 2020

Shares

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Warner Music Group Corp.

Class A Common Stock

This is the initial public offering of shares of Class A common stock of Warner Music Group Corp.

The selling stockholders identified in this prospectus are offering shares of Class A common stock in this offering. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the shares being sold by the selling stockholders in this offering, including any shares they may sell pursuant to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Class A common stock.

Upon completion of this offering, we will have two classes of common stock, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share. Each share of Class B common stock is entitled to 20 votes per share. Holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters, except as otherwise set forth in this prospectus or as required by applicable law. Each outstanding share of Class B common stock will convert automatically into one share of Class A common stock upon any transfer, except for certain exceptions and permitted transfers described in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. The Class B common stock, which is held by Access Industries, LLC and certain of its affiliates, will represent approximately % of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock following this offering (or approximately % of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock).

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A common stock. We intend to apply to list our common stock on , under the symbol “ ”.

We anticipate that the initial public offering price will be between $ and $ per share.

After the completion of this offering, we will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance standards of .

Investing in our Class A common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20 of this prospectus to read about factors you should consider before buying shares of our Class A common stock.


	Per Share	Total
Initial public offering price	$	$
Underwriting discounts and commissions (1)	$	$
Proceeds, before expenses, to the selling stockholders	$	$

(1)	We have agreed to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses in connection with this offering. See “Underwriting.”

The underwriters also may purchase up to additional shares from the selling stockholders at the initial offering price less the underwriting discounts and commissions, within 30 days from the date of this prospectus.

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved the securities described herein or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares to purchasers on or about , 2020.

Prospectus dated , 2020


Morgan Stanley		Credit Suisse		Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

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Warner Records wea Sire RHINO REPRISE RECORDS ROADRUNNER Parlophone nonesuch fueled by ramen Elektra music group big Beat atlantic asylum ada

TABLE OF CONTENTS


Certain Important Terms			i
Prospectus Summary			1
Risk Factors			20
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information			43
Use of Proceeds			46
Dividend Policy			47
Capitalization			48
Dilution			50
Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data			52
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			53
Business			105
Management			123
Executive Compensation			133
Principal and Selling Stockholders			153
Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions			155
Description of Capital Stock			161
Shares Available for Future Sale			169
Material U.S. Federal Tax Considerations For Non-U.S. Holders			171
Underwriting			175
Validity of Common Stock			183
Experts			183
Where You Can Find More Information			183
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements			F-1

We have not, and the selling stockholders and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with information different from, or in addition to, that contained in this prospectus and any related free writing prospectus. We, the selling stockholders and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurances as to the reliability of, any information that others may give you. This prospectus is an offer to sell only the shares offered hereby, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus is only accurate as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus and any sale of shares of our common stock.

CERTAIN IMPORTANT TERMS

We use the following capitalized terms in this prospectus:

•

“A&R” means Artists and Repertoire, which is the department at a recorded music company or a music publishing company that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists and songwriters.

•

“Access” means Access Industries, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and its affiliates, certain of which are our controlling stockholders.

•

“Acquisition Corp.” means WMG Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Holdings.

•

“common stock” means our Class A common stock and our Class B common stock, collectively.

•

“constant currency” refers to information that compares financial metrics between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period over period. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Operating Measures—Constant Currency.”

•

“Holdings” means WMG Holdings Corp., a Delaware corporation, and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of WMG.

•

“Merger” means the merger, dated July 20, 2011, of Airplanes Merger Sub, Inc. with and into WMG with WMG surviving as an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Access, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of May 6, 2011, by and among WMG, AI Entertainment Holdings LLC (formerly Airplanes Music LLC), an affiliate of Access, and Airplanes Merger Sub, Inc.

•

“Revolving Credit Agreement” means the revolving credit agreement, dated as of January 31, 2018, as amended or supplemented, among Acquisition Corp., Credit Suisse AG, as administrative agent, and the other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto.

•

“Secured Notes” means, collectively, the 5.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (the “5.000% Secured Notes”), the 4.125% Senior Secured Notes dues 2024 (the “4.125% Secured Notes”), the 4.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (the “4.875% Secured Notes”) and the 3.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (the “3.625% Secured Notes”).

•

“Secured Notes Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2012 (the “Senior Secured Base Indenture”), among Acquisition Corp., the guarantors party thereto, Credit Suisse AG, as Notes Authorized Agent and Collateral Agent, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 27, 2016 (the “5.000% Supplemental Indenture”), as supplemented by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 18, 2016 (the “4.875% Supplemental Indenture”), as supplemented by the Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 18, 2016 (the “4.125% Supplemental Indenture”), as supplemented by the Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 9, 2018 (the “3.625% Supplemental Indenture”), and as supplemented by the Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 30, 2019 (the “Additional 3.625% Supplemental Indenture”), in each case, among Acquisition Corp., the guarantors party thereto and the Trustee.

•

“selling stockholders” means Altep 2012 L.P., WMG Management Holdings, LLC, Access Industries, LLC, CT/FT Holdings LLC, Blavatnik Family Foundation LLC, Blavatnik July 2019 Investment Trust and Alex Blavatnik and one or more charitable remainder trusts or other charitable organizations (each, a “Charity”) which Charities may receive contributions of shares of Class A common stock prior to this offering from Access Industries, LLC, CT/FT Holdings LLC, Blavatnik Family Foundation LLC or Blavatnik July 2019 Investment Trust and may sell such shares in this offering.

•

“Senior Credit Facilities” means the Senior Term Loan Facility (as defined in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition and Liquidity—Liquidity—Senior Term Loan Facility”) together with the Revolving Credit Facility (as defined in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition and Liquidity—Liquidity—Revolving Credit Facility”).

•

“Senior Notes Indenture” means the Indenture, dated as of April 9, 2014 (the “Senior Notes Base Indenture”), among Acquisition Corp., the guarantors party thereto and the Trustee, as supplemented by the Fifth Supplemental Indenture thereto, dated as of March 14, 2018 (the “Senior Notes Supplemental Indenture”), among Acquisition Corp., the guarantors party thereto and the Trustee.

•

“Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement” means the credit agreement, dated November 1, 2012, as amended or supplemented, among Acquisition Corp., Credit Suisse AG, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the other financial institutions and lenders from time to time party thereto.

•

“virtual gifting” refers to the practice of purchasing digital, non-durable, non-physical items (e.g., an emoji) that is delivered to another person often during a live karaoke performance.

•

“Warner Music Group” or “WMG” means Warner Music Group Corp., a Delaware corporation, without its consolidated subsidiaries.

•

“we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” mean Warner Music Group Corp. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context refers only to Warner Music Group Corp. as a corporate entity.

MARKET AND INDUSTRY DATA

This prospectus includes estimates regarding market and industry data and forecasts, including industry size, share of industry sales, industry position, growth rates and penetration rates, which are based on publicly available information, industry publications and surveys, reports from government agencies, reports by market research firms and our own estimates based on our management’s knowledge of, and experience in, the music entertainment industry and market segments in which we compete. Third-party industry publications and forecasts generally state that the information contained therein has been obtained from sources generally believed to be reliable. The third-party industry sources referenced in this prospectus include, among others, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (“IFPI”), Nielsen, Music & Copyright, MIDiA and Billboard. Our estimates involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed under the captions “Risk Factors,” “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

SERVICE MARKS, TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES

We own various service marks, trademarks and trade names, such as Asylum, Atlantic, Elektra, EMP, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Chappell and WEA, and license various service marks, trademarks and trade names, such as WARNER, WARNER MUSIC, WARNER RECORDS and the “W” logo, that we deem particularly important to our business. This prospectus also contains trademarks, service marks and trade names of other companies which are the property of their respective owners. We do not intend our use or display of such names or marks to imply relationships with, or endorsements of us by, any other company.

PRESENTATION OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION

We have made rounding adjustments to some of the figures included in this prospectus. Accordingly, numerical figures shown as totals in some tables may not be an arithmetic aggregation of the figures that precede them. Unless otherwise indicated, all references to “U.S. dollars,” “dollars,” “U.S. $” and “$” in this prospectus are to the lawful currency of the United States of America.

In this prospectus, we present certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), such measures referred to herein as “non-U.S. GAAP”. You should review the reconciliation and accompanying disclosures carefully in connection with your consideration of such non-U.S. GAAP measures and note that the way in which we calculate these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.

iii

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The following summary highlights selected information contained in this prospectus. Because this is only a summary, it does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our Class A common stock. You should carefully read the entire prospectus, including the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as well as our annual and interim financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, before making an investment decision. For the definitions of certain capitalized terms used in this prospectus, please refer to “Certain Important Terms.”

Our Company

We are one of the world’s leading music entertainment companies. Our renowned family of iconic record labels, including Atlantic Records, Warner Records, Elektra Records and Parlophone Records, is home to many of the world’s most popular and influential recording artists. In addition, Warner Chappell Music, our global music publishing business, boasts an extraordinary catalog that includes timeless standards and contemporary hits, representing works by over 80,000 songwriters and composers, with a global collection of more than 1.4 million musical compositions. Our entrepreneurial spirit and passion for music has driven our recording artist and songwriter focused innovation for decades.

Our Recorded Music business, home to superstar recording artists such as Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars and Cardi B, generated $3.840 billion of revenue in fiscal 2019, representing 86% of total revenues. Our Music Publishing business, which includes esteemed songwriters such as Twenty One Pilots, Lizzo and Katy Perry, generated $643 million of revenue in fiscal 2019, representing 14% of total revenues. We benefit from the scale of our global platform and our local focus.

Today, global music entertainment companies such as ours are more important and relevant than ever. The traditional barriers to widespread distribution of music have been erased. The tools to make and distribute music are at every musician’s fingertips, and today’s technology makes it possible for music to travel around the world in an instant. This has resulted in music being ubiquitous and accessible at all times. Against this industry backdrop, the volume of music being released on digital platforms is making it harder for recording artists and songwriters to get noticed. We cut through the noise by identifying, signing, developing and marketing extraordinary talent. Our global A&R experience and marketing strategies are critical ingredients for recording artists or songwriters who want to build long-term global careers. We believe that the music, not the technology, delights fans and drives the business forward.

Our commercial innovation is crucial to maintaining our momentum. We have championed new business models and empowered established players, while protecting and enhancing the value of music. We were the first major music entertainment company to strike landmark deals with important companies such as Apple, YouTube and Tencent Music Entertainment Group, as well as with pure-play music technology companies such as MixCloud, SoundCloud and Audiomack. We adapted to streaming faster than other major music entertainment companies and, in 2016, were the first such company to report that streaming was the largest source of our recorded music revenue. Looking into the future, we believe the universe of opportunities will continue to expand, including through the proliferation of new devices such as smart speakers and the monetization of music on social media and other platforms. We believe advancements in technology will continue to drive consumer engagement and shape a growing and vibrant music entertainment ecosystem.

We have achieved growth and profitability at scale. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, we generated $4.5 billion, $4.0 billion and $3.6 billion in revenue, respectively, representing year-over-year growth of 12% and 12%, respectively. For the fiscal years ended

September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, we reported net income of $258 million, $312 million and $149 million, respectively. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, our Adjusted EBITDA was $737 million, $1,033 million (which includes a pre-tax net gain of $389 million related to the sale of Spotify shares acquired in the ordinary course of business) and $604 million, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-U.S. GAAP measure. For a discussion of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation to the most closely comparable U.S. GAAP measure, see “Summary Historical Consolidated Financial Data.”

Our History

The Company today consists of individual companies that are among the most respected and iconic in the music industry, with a history that dates back to the establishment of Chappell & Co. in 1811 and Parlophone in 1896.

The Company began to take shape in 1967 when Warner-Seven Arts, the parent company of Warner Records (formerly known as Warner Bros. Records) acquired Atlantic Records, which discovered artists such as Led Zeppelin and Aretha Franklin. In 1969, Kinney National Company acquired Warner-Seven Arts, and in 1970, Kinney Services (which was later spun off into Warner Communications) acquired Elektra Records, which was renowned for artists such as The Doors and Judy Collins. In order to harness their collective strength and capabilities, in 1971, Warner Bros., Elektra and Atlantic Records formed a groundbreaking U.S. distribution network commonly known as WEA Corp., or simply WEA, which now stretches across the world.

Throughout this time, the Company’s music publishing division, Warner Bros. Music, built a strong presence. In 1987, the purchase of Chappell & Co. created Warner Chappell Music, one of the industry’s major music publishing forces with a storied history that today connects Ludwig van Beethoven, George Gershwin, Madonna and Lizzo.

The parent company that had grown to become Time Warner completed the sale of the Company to a consortium of private equity investors in 2004, in the process creating the world’s largest independent music company. The Company was taken public the following year, and in 2011, Access acquired the Company.

Since acquiring the Company, Access has focused on revenue growth and increasing operating margins and cash flow combined with financial discipline. Looking past more than a decade of music entertainment industry transitions, Access and the Company foresaw the opportunities that streaming presented for music. Over the last eight years, Access has consistently backed the Company’s bold expansion strategies through organic A&R as well as acquisitions. These strategies include investing more heavily in recording artists and songwriters, growing the Company’s global reach, augmenting its streaming expertise, overhauling its systems and technological infrastructure, and diversifying into other music-based revenue streams.

The purchase of Parlophone Label Group (“PLG”) in 2013 strengthened the Company’s presence in core European territories, with recording artists as diverse as Coldplay, David Bowie, David Guetta and Tinie Tempah. That acquisition was followed by other investments that further strengthened the Company’s footprint in established and emerging markets. Other milestones include the Company’s acquisitions of direct-to-audience businesses such as entertainment specialty e-tailer EMP (as defined in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Factors Affecting Results of Operations and Comparability—Acquisition of EMP”), live music application Songkick and youth culture platform UPROXX.

Our Industry and Market Opportunity

The music entertainment industry is large, global and vibrant. The recorded music and music publishing industries are growing, driven by consumer and demographic trends in the digital consumption of music.

Consumer Trends and Demographics

Consumers today engage with music in more ways than ever. According to IFPI, global consumers spent 18 hours listening to music each week in 2019. Demographic trends and smartphone penetration have been key factors in driving growth in consumer engagement. Younger consumers typically are early adopters of new technologies, including music-enabled devices. According to Nielsen, in 2019, 58% of teens in the United States between the ages of 13 and 17 and 45% of millennials in the United States between the ages of 18 and 34 used their smartphones to listen to music on a weekly basis, as compared to a 40% average for all U.S. consumers. Furthermore, in 2019, U.S. teens and millennials listened to an average of 32.6 and 29.7 hours of music each week, respectively, above the 26.9 hours for all U.S. consumers.

Members of older demographic groups are also increasing their music engagement. According to an IFPI survey of 19 leading geographic markets in 2019, 54% of 35- to 64-year-olds used a streaming service to listen to music in the past month, representing an increase from 46% in 2018, which was the highest rate of growth for use of streaming services across all age groups.

Music permeates our culture across age groups, as evidenced by the footprint that music has across social media. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (“RIAA”), as of September 2019, 7 out of the top 10 most followed accounts on Twitter belong to musicians, and according to YouTube, the majority of videos that have achieved more than one billion lifetime views as well as the top 10 most watched videos of all time, belong to musicians.

Recorded Music

The recorded music industry generated $19.1 billion in global revenue in 2018 and has consistently grown since 2015, according to IFPI. IFPI measures the recorded music industry based on four revenue categories: digital (including streaming), physical, synchronization and performance rights. Digital is the largest, generating $11.2 billion of revenue in 2018, representing 59% of global recorded music revenue. Within digital, streaming generated approximately 80% of revenue, or $8.9 billion, with the remainder of digital revenue coming from other formats such as downloads. Overall, digital grew by 20% in 2018, with streaming increasing by 33%.

Physical represented approximately 25% of global recorded music revenue in 2018, with growth in formats such as vinyl partially offsetting declines in CD sales. Performance rights revenue represents the use of recorded music by broadcasters and public venues, and represented 14% of global recorded music revenue in 2018. Synchronization revenue is generated from the use of recorded music in advertising, film, video games and television content, and represented 2% of global recorded music revenue in 2018. According to IFPI, global recorded music revenue has grown at a 9% CAGR since 2015, with growth accelerating to 10% in 2018 from 7% in 2017.

We believe the following secular trends will continue to drive growth in the recorded music industry:

Streaming Still in Early Stages of Global Adoption and Penetration

According to IFPI, global paid music streaming subscribers totaled 255 million at the end of 2018. While this represents an increase of 45% from 176 million in 2017, it still represents less than 8% of the 3.2 billion smartphone users globally, according to Newzoo. It also represents a small fraction of the user bases for large, globally scaled digital services such as Facebook, which reported 2.7 billion monthly users across its services as of July 2019, and YouTube, which reported two billion unique monthly users as of May 2019. On-demand streaming (both audio and video) is on pace to exceed one trillion streams in the United States in 2019, according to Nielsen, and this growth is expected to continue.

The potential of global paid streaming subscriber growth is demonstrated by the penetration rates in early adopter markets. Approximately 30% of the population in Sweden, where Spotify was founded, was estimated to be paid music subscribers in 2018, according to MIDiA. This compares to approximately 25% and 16% for established markets such as the United States and Germany, respectively. Moreover, paid digital music subscribers in Japan, the world’s second-largest recorded music market in 2018 according to IFPI, still only represented approximately 7% of the population, according to MIDiA. There also remains substantial opportunity in emerging markets, such as Brazil and India, where smartphone penetration is low compared to developed markets. For example, according to Newzoo, smartphone penetration for Brazil and India as of September 2019 was 46% and 25%, respectively, compared to 79% in the United States.

China, in particular, represents a substantial growth market for the recorded music industry. According to IFPI, paid streaming models are at an early stage in China, with an estimated 33 million paid subscribers in 2018, representing only 2% of China’s population of over 1.4 billion. Despite its substantial population, China was the world’s seventh-largest music market in 2018, having only broken into the top 10 in 2017.

Opportunities for Improved Streaming Pricing

In addition to paid subscriber growth, we believe that, over time, streaming revenues will increase due to pricing increases as the broader market further develops. Streaming services are already at the early stages of experimenting with price increases. For example, in 2018, Spotify increased monthly prices for its service in Norway. In addition, in 2019, Amazon launched Amazon Music HD, a high-quality audio streaming offering that is available to customers at a premium price in the United States. We believe the value proposition that streaming provides to consumers supports premium product initiatives.

Technology Enables Innovation and Presents Additional Opportunities

Technological innovation has helped facilitate the penetration of music listening across locations, including homes, offices and cars, as well as across devices, including smartphones, tablets, wearables, digital dashboards, gaming consoles and smart speakers. These technologies represent advancements that are deepening listener engagement and driving further growth in music consumption.

Device Innovation. According to Nielsen, as of August 2019, U.S. consumers listened to music across an average of 4.1 devices per week. We believe that the use of multiple devices is expanding listening hours by bringing music into more moments of consumers’ lives, and the different uses these devices enable are also broadening the base of music to which consumers are exposed. The music that consumers listen to during a commute may be different than the music they listen to while they exercise, and different still than the music they play through a smart speaker while cooking a meal. Smart speakers enable consumers to access music more readily by using their voices. According to PwC, smart speaker ownership is expected to increase at a 38% CAGR from 2018 through 2023, to 440 million devices globally in 2023. The adoption of smart speakers in the United States has been strong, and according to Nielsen, 31% of music listeners today own smart speakers. Smart speakers are fueling further growth in streaming, by converting more casual listeners into paid subscribers, drawn in by music as a critical application for these devices. According to Nielsen, 61% of U.S. consumers who use a smart speaker weekly to listen to music currently pay for a subscription as well.

Format and Monetization Model Innovation. Short-form music and music-based video content has grown rapidly, driven by the growth of global social video applications such as TikTok, which features 15-second videos often set to music. TikTok has reportedly been downloaded more than one billion times since its launch in 2017 and has a global reach of 500 million users, according to Nielsen. Such applications have the potential for mass adoption, illustrating the opportunity for additional platforms of scale to be created to the benefit of the music entertainment industry. These platforms enable incremental consumption of music appealing to varied, and

often younger, audiences. From a recording artist’s perspective, these platforms have the potential to rewrite the path to stardom. For example, our recording artist, Fitz & the Tantrums, an American band, rose to international fame in 2018 as their song “HandClap” went viral in Asia on TikTok. Fitz & the Tantrums quickly topped the international music charts in South Korea and surpassed one billion streams in China. Short-form music and music-based video content have also become increasingly popular on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, further illustrating the growing number of potential pathways through which recording artists may gain consumer exposure.

Music Publishing

According to Music & Copyright, the music publishing industry generated $5.5 billion in global revenue in 2018, representing an 11% increase from $4.9 billion in the prior year. Music publishing involves the acquisition of rights to, and the licensing of, musical compositions (as opposed to sound recordings) from songwriters, composers or other rightsholders. Music publishing revenues are derived from four main royalty sources: mechanical, performance, synchronization and digital. Digital represents the largest and fastest-growing component of industry revenues, while performance represents the second-largest component of industry revenues. Mechanical revenues from traditional physical music formats (e.g., CDs, DVDs, downloads) have continued to fall while performance revenues and digital revenues have grown to offset this decline.

Positive Regulatory Trends

The music industry has benefitted from positive regulatory developments in recent years, which are expected to lead to increased revenues for the music entertainment industry in the coming years. These include the passage of the U.S. Music Modernization Act (“MMA”) in 2018, the recent SDARS III and Phonorecords III Copyright Royalty Board (“CRB”) proceedings and the passage of the European Union (“E.U.”) Copyright Directive in 2019. See “Business—Our Industry and Market Opportunity—Positive Regulatory Trends” for additional information.

Our Competitive Strengths

Well-Positioned to Benefit from Growth in the Global Music Market Driven by Streaming. The music entertainment industry has undergone a transformation in the consumption and monetization of content towards streaming over the last five years. According to IFPI, from 2015 through 2018, global recorded music revenue grew at a CAGR of 9%, with streaming revenue growing at a CAGR of 45% and increasing as a percentage of global recorded music revenue from 20% to 47% over the same period. By comparison, from fiscal year 2015 to fiscal year 2018, our recorded music streaming revenue grew at a CAGR of 42% and increased as a percentage of our total recorded music revenues from 24% to 52%. We believe our innovation-focused operating strategy with an emphasis on genres that over-index on streaming platforms (e.g., hip-hop and pop) has consistently allowed our digital revenue growth to outpace the market, highlighted by our becoming the first major music entertainment company to report that our streaming revenue was the largest source of recorded music revenue in 2016.

The growth of streaming services has not only improved the discoverability and personalization of music, but has also increased consumer willingness to pay for seamless convenience and access. We believe consumer adoption of paid streaming services still has significant potential for growth. For example, according to MIDiA, in 2018, approximately 30% of the population in Sweden, an early adopter market, was paid music subscribers. This illustrates the opportunity to drive long-term growth by increasing penetration of paid subscriptions throughout the world, including important markets such as the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and France, where paid subscriber levels are lower. Our catalog and roster of recording artists and songwriters, including our strengths in hip-hop and pop music, position us to benefit as streaming continues to

grow. We also believe our diversified catalog of evergreen music amassed over many decades will prove advantageous as demographics evolve from younger early adopters to a wider demographic mix and as digital music services target broader audiences.

Established Presence in Growing International Markets, Including China. We believe we will benefit from the growth in international markets due to our local A&R focus, as well as our local and global marketing and distribution infrastructure that includes a network of subsidiaries, affiliates, and non-affiliated licensees and sub-publishers in more than 70 countries. We are developing local talent to achieve regional, national and international success. We have expanded our global footprint over time by acquiring independent recorded music and music publishing businesses, catalogs and recording artist and songwriter rosters in China, Indonesia, Poland, Russia and South Africa, among other markets. In addition, we have increased organic investment in heavily populated emerging markets by, for example, launching Warner Music Middle East, our recorded music affiliate covering 17 markets across the Middle East and North Africa with a total population of 380 million people. We have also strengthened our Warner Music Asia executive team with new appointments and promotions. According to IFPI in 2018, recorded music industry revenues in Asia and Australasia grew 12% year-over-year. Over the same period and on a constant-currency basis, we grew revenues in Asia and Australasia by 21%, again outpacing the industry.

With every region around the world at different stages in transitioning to digital formats, we believe establishing creative hubs by opening new regional offices and partnering with local players will achieve our objective of building local expertise while delivering maximum global impact for our recording artists and songwriters. For example, we recently invested in one of Nigeria’s leading music entertainment companies, Chocolate City, and music from this influential independent company’s recording artists and songwriters will join our repertoire and receive the support of our wide-ranging global expertise, including distribution and artist services.

Differentiated Platform of Scale with Top Industry Position. With over $4 billion in annual revenues, over half of which are generated outside of the United States, we believe our platform is differentiated by the scale, reach and broad appeal of our music. Our collection of owned and controlled recordings and musical compositions, spanning a large variety of genres and geographies over many decades, cannot be replicated. As one of three major music entertainment companies, our industry position remains strong and poised for continued growth. As reported in Music & Copyright, our global recorded music market share has increased 9% from 2011 to 2018, growing from 15.1% to 16.5%. In addition, according to Nielsen, Atlantic Records was the No. 1 record label in the United States in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Star-Making, Culture-Defining Core Capabilities. For decades, our A&R strategy of identifying and nurturing recording artists and songwriters with the talents to be successful has yielded an extensive catalog of iconic music across a wide breadth of musical genres and marquee brands all over the world. Our marketing and promotion departments provide a comprehensive suite of solutions that are specifically tailored to each of our recording artists and carefully coordinated to create the greatest sales momentum for new and catalog releases alike. The development of our vibrant roster of recording artists has been informed by our significant experience in being able to adapt to changes in consumer trends and sentiment over time. Our creative instincts yield custom strategies for each and every one of our recording artists, including, for example:

•

Cardi B, whose first Atlantic Records single “Bodak Yellow” was a break-out hit that has been certified nine times Platinum in the United States by the RIAA;

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Twenty One Pilots, whose rise to stardom accelerated with the release of their second Fueled by Ramen studio album, Blurryface; and

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Portugal. The Man, which celebrated its first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after the release of their eighth studio album, Woodstock, featuring the track “Feel It Still.”

In addition, Warner Chappell Music boasts a diversified catalog of timeless classics together with an ever-growing group of contemporary songwriters who are actively contributing to today’s top hits. We believe our longstanding reputation and relationships in the creative community, as well as our historical success in talent development and management, will continue to attract new recording artists and songwriters with staying power and market potential through the strength and scale of our proprietary capabilities.

Strong Financial Profile with Robust Growth, Operating Leverage and Free Cash Flow Generation. For fiscal year 2017 through fiscal year 2019, we have grown as-reported revenues at a CAGR of 12%, and on a constant-currency basis, at a CAGR of 10%, driven by secular tailwinds, organic reinvestment in A&R and strategic acquisitions. For our fiscal year 2019, our business generated net income and Adjusted EBITDA of $258 million and $737 million, respectively, implying an Adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 16%. We have an efficient business model as demonstrated by our high Free Cash Flow conversion of Adjusted EBITDA. In fiscal year 2019, we generated $24 million of Free Cash Flow (after taking into account $183 million related to the acquisition of EMP). We believe our financial profile provides a strong foundation for our continued growth.

Experienced Leadership Team and Committed Strategic Investor. Our management team has successfully designed and implemented our business strategy, delivering strong financial results, releasing an increasing flow of new music and establishing a dynamic culture of innovation. At the same time, our management team has driven an increase in operating margins and cash flow through an improved revenue mix to higher-margin digital platforms and overhead cost management, while maintaining financial flexibility to both organically invest in the business and pursue strategic acquisitions to diversify our revenue mix. Our Recorded Music and Music Publishing businesses are led by entrepreneurial and creative individuals with extensive experience in discovering and developing recording artists and songwriters and managing their creative output on a global scale. In addition, we have benefited, and expect to continue to benefit, from our acquisition by Access in July 2011, which has provided us with strategic direction, M&A and capital markets expertise and planning support to help us take full advantage of the ongoing transition in the music entertainment industry.

Expertise in Strategic Acquisitions and Investments That Extend Our Capabilities. Since 2011 when Access became our controlling shareholder, we have completed more than 15 strategic acquisitions. The acquisition of PLG in 2013 significantly strengthened our worldwide roster, global footprint and executive talent, particularly in Europe. In addition, we have made several smaller strategic acquisitions aimed at expanding our artist services capabilities in our Recorded Music business, including EMP, one of Europe’s leading specialty music and entertainment merchandise e-tailers; Sodatone, a premier A&R insight tool; UPROXX, the youth culture and video production powerhouse; Spinnin’ Records, one of the world’s leading independent electronic music companies; and Songkick’s concert discovery application. These transactions showcase the growing breadth of our platform across the music entertainment ecosystem and have increased our direct access to fans of our recording artists and songwriters. In addition to our commercial arrangements with digital music services, we opportunistically invest in some of those services as well as other companies in our industry, including minority equity stakes in Deezer, a French digital music service in which Access owns a controlling equity interest, and Tencent Music Entertainment Group, the leading online music entertainment platform in China. Acquiring and investing in businesses that are highly complementary to our existing portfolio further enables us to potentially derive incremental and new revenue streams from different business models in new markets.

Our Growth Strategies

Attract, Develop and Retain Established and Emerging Recording Artists and Songwriters. A critical component of our global strategy is to produce an increasing flow of new music by finding, developing and retaining recording artists and songwriters who achieve long-term success. Since 2011, our annual new releases have grown significantly and our catalog of musical compositions has increased to over 1.4 million. We expect to enhance the value of our assets by continuing to attract and develop new recording artists and songwriters with

staying power and market potential. Our A&R teams seek to sign talented recording artists and songwriters who will generate meaningful revenues and increase the enduring value of our catalog. We have also made meaningful investments in technology to further expand our A&R capabilities in a rapidly changing music environment. In 2018, we acquired Sodatone, an advanced A&R tool that uses streaming, social and touring data to help track early predictors of success. When combined with the strength of our current ability to identify creative talent, we expect this to further enhance our ability to scout and sign breakthrough recording artists and songwriters. In addition, we anticipate that investment in or commercial relationships with technology companies will enable us to tailor our marketing efforts for established recording artists and songwriters by gaining valuable insight into consumer reactions to new releases. We regularly evaluate our recording artist and songwriter rosters to ensure that we remain focused on developing the most promising and profitable talent and are committed to maintaining financial discipline in the negotiation of our agreements with recording artists and songwriters.

Focus on Growth Markets to Position Us to Realize Upside from Incremental Penetration of Streaming. While the rapid growth of streaming has already transformed the music entertainment industry, streaming is still in relatively early stages, as significant opportunity remains in both developed markets and markets largely untapped by the adoption of paid streaming subscriptions. Some of our largest markets, such as the United States, Germany, United Kingdom and France, still lag Nordic countries in penetration of paid subscriptions and have room for future growth. In these markets, we will continue to increase our output of new releases and use data to more effectively target our marketing efforts. Less mature markets, such as China and Brazil, have large populations with relatively high smartphone penetration, and we are well placed to benefit from streaming tailwinds over the next several years with our local presence and extensive catalog.

Expand Global Presence with Investment in Local Music in Nascent Markets. We recognize that music is inherently local in nature, shaped by people and culture. According to IFPI, in 2018, at least seven of the top-selling singles in Brazil, India, Italy and South Korea were performed by or featured local artists. Similarly, in 2018, at least seven of the top-selling albums in France, Germany, Spain and Turkey were performed by or featured local artists. One of our vital business functions is to help our recording artists and songwriters solve the complexities associated with a fragmented, global market of mixed musical tastes. We have found that investment in local music provides the best opportunity to understand these nuances, and we have made it a strategic priority to seek out investment opportunities in emerging markets. For example, we opened an office in the Middle East and North Africa region to prepare for the forecasted rise in smartphone penetration and projected uptake in digital music. These investments are made with the purpose of increasing our understanding of local market dynamics and popularizing our current roster of recording artists and songwriters around the world. The impact of this local focus is demonstrated by increased revenues. For example, in fiscal year 2019, on a constant-currency basis, our revenues grew by 11% in North America, 17% in Latin America, 26% in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and 25% in Asia and Australasia.

Embrace Commercial Innovation with New Digital Distributors and Partners. We believe the growth of digital formats will continue to create new and powerful ways to distribute and monetize our music. We were the first major music company to strike landmark deals with important companies such as Apple, YouTube, Peloton and Tencent Music Entertainment Group, as well as with pure-play music technology companies such as MixCloud, SoundCloud and Audiomack. We believe that the continued development of new digital channels for the consumption of music and increasing access to digital music services present significant promise and opportunity for the music entertainment industry. We are also focused on investing in emerging music technologies, demonstrated by our launch of WMG Boost, a seed-stage investment fund for start-ups in the music entertainment industry and through partnerships with entrepreneurial incubators such as TechStars. We intend to continue to extend our technological reach by executing deals with new partners and developing optimal business models that will enable us to monetize our music across various platforms, services and devices. We also intend to continue to support and invest in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, artificial reality, virtual reality, high-resolution audio, mobile messaging and other technologies to continue to build new revenue streams and position ourselves for long-term growth.

Pursue Acquisitions to Enhance Asset Portfolio and Long-Term Growth. We have successfully completed a number of strategic acquisitions, particularly in our Recorded Music business. Strengthening and expanding our global footprint provides us with insights on markets in which we can immediately capitalize on favorable industry trends, as evidenced by our acquisition of PLG in 2013. We also build upon our core competencies with additive and ancillary capabilities. For example, our acquisition of UPROXX, one of the most influential media brands for youth culture, not only provides a platform for short-form music and music-based video content production to market and promote our recording artists, but also includes sales capabilities to monetize advertising inventory on digital audio and video platforms. We plan to continue selectively pursuing acquisition opportunities while maintaining financial discipline to further improve our growth trajectory and drive operating efficiencies with increased free cash flow generation. With respect to our Music Publishing business, we have the opportunity to generate significant value by acquiring other music publishers and extracting cost savings (as acquired catalogs can be administered with little incremental cost), as well as by increasing revenues through more aggressive monetization efforts. We will also continue to evaluate opportunities to add to our catalog or acquire or make investments in companies engaged in businesses that we believe will help to advance our strategies.

Our Recording Artist and Songwriter Value Proposition

Over the last five years, we have outperformed in a highly competitive market. For example, since January 2017, our owned and distributed labels have received more U.S. Gold and Platinum certifications from the RIAA for debut albums than those of any other company. Our success is a function of attracting exceptional talent and helping them build long and lucrative careers. In an environment where music entertainment companies often fiercely compete to sign recording artists and songwriters, our ability to differentiate our core capabilities is crucial. We are constantly strengthening our skill sets, as well as evolving and expanding the comprehensive suite of services we provide. Our goal is not to be the biggest music entertainment company, but the best.

In the digital world, consumers have more than 50 million tracks at their fingertips, growing at a rate of approximately 40,000 songs per day. The sheer volume of music being released on digital music services is making it harder for recording artists and songwriters to stand out and get noticed. At the same time, music that is fresh and original is currently what resonates most strongly on digital music services. We believe our Recorded Music and Music Publishing businesses remain not just relevant, but essential to the booming music entertainment economy. Our proven ability to cut through the noise is more necessary and valuable than ever.

Below is an overview of the many creative and commercial services we provide our recording artists and songwriters. Our interests are aligned with theirs. By creating value for our recording artists and songwriters, we create value for ourselves. That philosophy is behind our current momentum, and we believe it will continue to propel our business into the future.

Welcoming Talent

We offer recording artists and songwriters numerous pathways into our ecosystem. Whether it is an up-and-coming songwriter making music in his or her bedroom, a breakout superstar recording artist selling out stadiums or an icon looking to curate a legacy, we offer the necessary support and resources.

We are not just searching for immediate hits. We scout and sign talent with the market potential for longevity and lasting impact. As a result, we are investing in more new music every year without losing our commitment to each recording artist and songwriter. It is that focus, patience and passion that has built and sustained the reputation that perpetuates our cycle of success.

Creative Partnership

Our A&R executives both champion and challenge the talent they sign, empowering them to realize their visions and evolve over time. Our longstanding relationships within the creative community also provide our recording artists and songwriters with a wide network of collaborators, which is a vital part of helping them to realize their best work. We provide the investment that gives our recording artists and songwriters the requisite time and space to experiment and flourish. This includes access to a multitude of songwriters’ rooms and recording studios around the globe with more to come.

Marketing and Promotional Firepower

We are experts in the art of amplification, with proven specialties in every aspect of marketing and promotion. From every meaningful digital music service and social media network to radio, press, film, television and retail, we are plugged into the most influential people and platforms for music entertainment. At the same time, by combining our collective experience with billions of transactions each and every week, we gather the insights needed to make meaningful commercial decisions grounded in data-based discipline. Most importantly, we quickly adapt to changes in how music is consumed to maximize the opportunities for our recording artists and songwriters. For example, we quickly honed our expertise in securing placement on playlists and other valuable positioning on digital music services.

Global Reach and Local Expertise

As of September 30, 2019, we employed approximately 5,400 persons around the world. This means we can build local fan bases for international recording artists and songwriters, as well as supply the network to deliver worldwide fame. Our local strength fuels our global impact and vice versa. We employ a global priority system to provide as many recording artists as possible a genuine shot at success. Our approach combines a deep understanding of local cultures, with a close-knit, nimble team that is in constant communication around the world.

A Broad Universe of Opportunity

Albums, singles, videos and songs are still the primary drivers for our business. But as the demand for music has grown, music has been woven into the fabric of our daily lives in new and increasingly sophisticated ways. It is our job to help our recording artists and songwriters capitalize on this expanding universe.

In our Recorded Music business, beyond digital and physical revenue streams, we provide a wide array of artist services, including merchandise, e-commerce, VIP ticketing and fan clubs. In our Music Publishing business, we take an active role in expanding the consumption of music, through performance, digital, mechanical, synchronization and, the original music publishing revenue stream, sheet music. Last year, we launched a creative services team that is tasked with finding innovative ways to revitalize catalogs and create new possibilities for our songwriters.

In 2017, we launched a film and television unit and subsequently acquired additional video production capabilities in order to offer greater storytelling possibilities for our recording artists and songwriters.

The centralization of our technology capabilities and data insights has resulted in increased transparency of our royalty reporting to our recording artists and songwriters. We defend and protect our recording artists’ and songwriters’ creative output by remaining vigilant in the collection of different types of royalties around the world and defending against illegitimate and illegal uses of our owned and controlled copyrights.

Representative Sample of Recording Artists and Songwriters

Our Recorded Music business includes music from:

•

Global superstars such as Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Michael Bublé, Cardi B, Kelly Clarkson, Coldplay, David Guetta, Dua Lipa, Neil Young, Prince, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Phil Collins, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and The Smiths.

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Next-generation talent including A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Charli XCX, Lizzo and Bebe Rexha.

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International stars such as Anitta, Aya Nakamura, TWICE, Christopher, Udo Lindenberg and Laura Pausini.

Our Music Publishing business includes musical compositions by:

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Superstars such as Stormzy, Twenty One Pilots, Green Day, Katy Perry, George Michael, Chris Stapleton, Damon Albarn, Dave Mustaine and Kacey Musgraves.

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International talent such as Jonathan Lee, Tia Ray, Manuel Medrano, Melendi, Bausa, Shy’m, Tove Lo and Jack & Coke.

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Songwriting icons like Brody Brown, Liz Rose, Justin Tranter, busbee, The-Dream, Dr. Dre, Stephen Sondheim, George & Ira Gershwin and Gamble & Huff.

Our Controlling Stockholder and Our Status as a Controlled Company

Access Industries is a privately-held industrial group with long-term holdings worldwide. Founded in 1986 by British-American industrialist and philanthropist Len Blavatnik, Access identifies new strategic investment opportunities and invests in both emerging and established industries to create transformative companies and generate significant growth over time. Headquartered in the United States, Access owns strategic and diversified investments around the world in various key sectors including media and telecommunications, natural resources and chemicals, venture capital, real estate and biotechnology.

In the technology, media and entertainment (“TME”) sector, Access has created a media platform for the 21^st century built on investments in disruptive technologies, content platforms and production companies. In addition to Warner Music Group, Access’s TME holdings include DAZN, the leading digital sports content streaming company, Deezer, the high-resolution online music streaming service with over 15 million active monthly users, Access Entertainment, which invests in premium-quality television, film and theater, and other transformational companies.

Following the completion of this offering, Access will hold an aggregate of shares of our Class B common stock, representing approximately % of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock (or approximately % of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock from the selling stockholders) and approximately % of the economic interest (or approximately % of the economic interest if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of our Class A common stock from the selling stockholders). Accordingly, Access will have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of our directors and the approval of any change in control transaction. We believe that this voting structure aligns our interests in creating stockholder value.

Because Access will control a majority of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock, we will be a “controlled company” under the corporate governance rules for -listed companies. Therefore, we may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance standards, such as the requirement that

our board of directors have a compensation committee and nominating and corporate governance committee composed entirely of independent directors. Following the completion of this offering, we intend to take advantage of these exemptions.

Our Corporate Information

Warner Music Group Corp. is a Delaware corporation. Our principal executive offices are located at 1633 Broadway, New York, New York 10019, and our telephone number is (212) 275-2000. Our website is www.wmg.com. Information on, or accessible through, our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference herein and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

Summary Risk Factors

Our business is subject to a number of risks, including risks that may prevent us from achieving our business objectives or may adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects that you should consider before making a decision to invest in our Class A common stock. These risks are discussed more fully in “Risk Factors” in this prospectus. These risks include, but are not limited to, the following:

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our ability to identify, sign and retain recording artists and songwriters and the existence or absence of superstar releases;

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the ability to further develop a successful business model applicable to a digital environment and to enter into artist services and expanded-rights deals with recording artists in order to broaden our revenue streams in growing segments of the music entertainment business;

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the popular demand for particular recording artists or songwriters and music and the timely delivery to us of music by major recording artists or songwriters;

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the diversity and quality of our recording artists, songwriters and releases;

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slower growth in streaming adoption and revenue;

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our dependence on a limited number of digital music services for the online distribution and marketing of our music and their ability to significantly influence the pricing structure for online music stores;

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risks associated with our non-U.S. operations, including limited legal protections of our intellectual property rights and restrictions on the repatriation of capital;

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the impact of heightened and intensive competition in the recorded music and music publishing industries and our inability to execute our business strategy;

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threats to our business associated with digital piracy, including organized industrial piracy;

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a potential loss of catalog if it is determined that recording artists have a right to recapture U.S. rights in their recordings under the U.S. Copyright Act;

•

our substantial leverage; and

•

holders of our Class A common stock will have limited or no ability to influence corporate matters due to the dual class structure of our common stock and the existing ownership of Class B common stock by Access, which has the effect of concentrating voting control with Access for the foreseeable future.

THE OFFERING

Class A common stock offered by the selling stockholders

shares.

Class A common stock to be outstanding after this offering

shares.

Class B common stock to be outstanding after this offering

shares.

Total Class A common stock and Class B common stock to be outstanding after this offering

shares.

Option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock offered by the selling stockholders

The underwriters have a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional shares of Class A common stock from the selling stockholders at the initial public offering price, less underwriting discounts and commissions.

Use of proceeds

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock by the selling stockholders in this offering.

Voting rights

Upon completion of this offering, we will have two classes of voting common stock, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share and each share of Class B common stock is entitled to 20 votes per share.

Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on all matters (including the election of directors) submitted to a vote of stockholders, unless otherwise required by law or specified in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Upon the completion of this offering, Access, which will be the holder of all of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock, will collectively hold approximately % of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock (or approximately % of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of our common stock). As a result, the holders of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock will have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of our directors and the approval of any change in control transaction. See “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock—Voting Rights.”

Conversion and related rights

Our Class A common stock is not convertible into any other class of shares.

Our Class B common stock is convertible into shares of our Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis at the option of the holder. In addition, each share of Class B common stock will convert

automatically into one share of Class A common stock (i) upon any transfer of such share, except for certain permitted transfers described in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and (ii) on the first trading day after the date on which the outstanding shares of Class B common stock constitutes less than 10% of the aggregate number of shares of common stock then outstanding, as determined by our board of directors. See “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock—Conversion, Exchange and Transferability” for more information.

Dividend policy

The Company intends to institute a regular quarterly dividend to holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock whereby we intend to pay quarterly cash dividends of $ per share. We expect to pay the first dividend under this policy in . The declaration of each dividend will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, earnings, liquidity and capital requirements, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends, restrictions imposed by Delaware law, general business conditions and any other factors that our board of directors deems relevant in making such a determination. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will pay any dividends to holders of our common stock, or as to the amount of any such dividends. See “Dividend Policy.”

Proposed stock exchange symbol

“ ”.

The number of shares of our common stock to be outstanding immediately following this offering is based on shares of Class A common stock and shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of , 2020, respectively, and excludes shares of Class A common stock reserved for future issuance following this offering under our equity plans.

Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus:

•

gives effect to amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws to be adopted prior to the consummation of this offering which includes the reclassification of outstanding shares of common stock into shares of Class B common stock;

•

the conversion of shares of Class B common stock held by the selling stockholders into an equivalent number of shares of Class A common stock upon the sale by the selling stockholders of such shares in this offering;

•

gives effect to a -for- stock split on our Class B common stock to be effected prior to the consummation of this offering;

•

assumes no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock from the selling stockholders;

•

assumes that the initial public offering price of our Class A common stock will be $ per share (which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus); and

•

does not reflect shares of Class A common stock potentially issuable in respect of deferred equity unit grants under our Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan (the “Plan”). See “Executive Compensation—Long-Term Equity Incentives—Warner Music Group Corp. Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan” for additional information on the Plan.

SUMMARY HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The financial data for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, and as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 have been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The financial data for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and as of December 31, 2019 have been derived from the unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The financial data as of December 31, 2018 have been derived from unaudited financial statements not included in this prospectus. This summary financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the annual and interim financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Historical results are not indicative of future operating results and results from interim periods are not indicative of full year results. The following consolidated statement of operations and consolidated balance sheet data have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).


	Three Months Ended December 31,						Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2019			2018			2019			2018			2017
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues	$	1,256		$	1,203		$	4,475		$	4,005		$	3,576
Interest expense, net		(33	)		(36	)		(142	)		(138	)		(149	)
Net income		122			86			258			312			149
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		(2	)		—			(2	)		(5	)		(6	)
Net income attributable to the Company.		120			86			256			307			143
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
Cash and equivalents	$	462		$	548		$	619		$	514		$	647
Total assets		6,314			5,946			6,017			5,344			5,718
Total debt (including current portion of long-term debt)		2,988			2,998			2,974			2,819			2,811
Total equity		(169	)		(139	)		(269	)		(320	)		308
Cash Flow Data:
Cash flows provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	78		$	92		$	400		$	425		$	535
Investing activities		(32	)		(238	)		(376	)		405			(126	)
Financing activities		(207	)		182			88			(955	)		(128	)
Depreciation & amortization		71			68			269			261			251
Capital expenditures		(15	)		(26	)		(104	)		(74	)		(44	)


	Three Months Ended December 31,				Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(in millions, except share and per share amounts)	2019		2018		2019		2018		2017
Earnings Per Share:
Earnings per share—common stock
Basic and Diluted	$	114,107	$	81,443	$	243,129	$	291,626	$	136,080
Weighted average common shares outstanding		1,052		1,052		1,052		1,053		1,055


	Three Months Ended December 31,						Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2019			2018			2019			2018			2017
Business Segment Data:
Recorded Music
Revenues	$	1,084		$	1,041		$	3,840		$	3,360		$	3,020
Operating income		191			163			439			307			283
OIBDA		241			211			623			480			451
Music Publishing
Revenues		173			165		$	643		$	653		$	572
Operating income		14			22			92			84			81
OIBDA		33			39			166			159			152
Corporate expenses and eliminations
Revenues		(1	)		(3	)	$	(8	)	$	(8	)	$	(16	)
Operating loss		(40	)		(38	)		(175	)		(174	)		(142	)
OIBDA		(38	)		(35	)		(164	)		(161	)		(130	)
Total
Revenues		1,256			1,203		$	4,475		$	4,005		$	3,576
Operating income		165			147			356			217			222
OIBDA (1)		236			215			625			478			473


	Three Months Ended December 31,					Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2019		2018			2019		2018		2017
Other Financial Data:
OIBDA (1)	$	236	$	215		$	625	$	478	$	473
Free Cash Flow (2)	$	46	$	(146	)	$	24	$	830	$	409


	Twelve Months Ended December 31,				Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
	2019		2018		2019		2018		2017
Adjusted EBITDA (3)	$	740	$	1,089	$	737	$	1,033	$	604

(1)

We evaluate our operating performance based on several factors, including our primary financial measure which is operating income (loss) before non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and non-cash amortization of intangible assets (which we refer to as “OIBDA”). We consider OIBDA to be an important indicator of the operational strengths and performance of our businesses, and believe the presentation of OIBDA helps improve the ability to understand our operating performance and evaluate our performance in comparison to comparable periods.

However, a limitation of the use of OIBDA as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenue in our businesses. Accordingly, OIBDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The following is a reconciliation of operating income (loss) from continuing operations to OIBDA and further provides the components from operating income (loss) from continuing operations to net income (loss) for the periods presented:


	Three Months Ended December 31,					Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2019		2018			2019			2018			2017
Net income attributable to the Company	$	120	$	86		$	256		$	307		$	143
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		2		—			2			5			6

Net income		122		86			258			312			149
Income tax expense (benefit)		5		50			9			130			(151	)

Income (loss) before income taxes		127		136			267			442			(2	)
Other (income) expense, net		5		(28	)		(60	)		(394	)		40
Interest expense, net		33		36			142			138			149
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—		3			7			31			35

Operating income		165		147			356			217			222
Amortization expense		47		54			208			206			201
Depreciation expense		24		14			61			55			50

OIBDA	$	236	$	215		$	625		$	478		$	473

(2)

Free Cash Flow reflects our net cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures and cash paid or received for investments. We use Free Cash Flow, among other measures, to evaluate our operating performance. Management believes Free Cash Flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available to fund our debt service requirements, ongoing working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, strategic acquisitions and investments, and any dividends, prepayments of debt or repurchases or retirement of our outstanding debt or notes in open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise. As a result, Free Cash Flow is a significant measure of our ability to generate long-term value. It is useful for investors to know whether this ability is being enhanced or degraded as a result of our operating performance. We believe the presentation of Free Cash Flow is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method management uses.

The following is a reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities to Free Cash Flow for the periods presented:


	Three Months Ended December 31,						Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2019			2018			2019			2018			2017
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	78		$	92		$	400		$	425		$	535
Capital expenditures (a)		(15	)		(26	)		(104	)		(74	)		(44	)
Net cash received (paid) for investments (b)		(17	)		(212	)		(272	)		479			(82	)
Free Cash Flow	$	46		$	(146	)	$	24		$	830		$	409

(a)

Fiscal years 2019 and 2018 include Los Angeles headquarters construction expenditures of $45 million and $28 million, respectively.

(b)

Reflects acquisition of music publishing rights, net, investments and acquisitions of businesses, net and proceeds from the sale of investments including, in the first fiscal quarter of 2019 and fiscal year 2019, the $183 million used to fund the acquisition of EMP, which was entirely debt financed, and in fiscal year 2018, the cash impact of the net gain of $389 million related to the sale of the Spotify shares.

(3)

Adjusted EBITDA is equivalent to “Consolidated EBITDA” as defined under our indentures and Revolving Credit Facility and “EBITDA” as defined under our Senior Term Loan Facility, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA differs from the term “EBITDA” as it is commonly used. The definition of Adjusted EBITDA, in addition to adjusting net income to exclude interest expense, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization, also adjusts net income by excluding items or expenses such as, among other items, (1) the amount of any restructuring charges or reserves, (2) any non-cash charges (including any impairment charges), (3) any net loss resulting from hedging currency exchange risks, (4) the amount of management, monitoring, consulting and advisory fees paid to Access under the Management Agreement or otherwise, (5) business optimization expenses (including consolidation initiatives, severance costs and other costs relating to initiatives aimed at profitability improvement), (6) transaction expenses, (7) equity-based compensation expense and (8) certain extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items. It also includes an adjustment for the pro forma impact of certain projected cost savings and synergies and certain specified transactions. Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure used by our management to understand and evaluate our operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition and Liquidity—Covenant Compliance.”

Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under U.S. GAAP. Some of those limitations include: (1) it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenue for our business, (2) it does not reflect the significant interest expense or cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments on our indebtedness and (3) it does not reflect every cash expenditure, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments. In particular, this measure adds back certain non-cash, extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring charges that are deducted in calculating net income; however, these are expenses that may recur, vary greatly and are difficult to predict. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA does not represent net income or cash flow provided by operating activities as those terms are defined by U.S. GAAP and does not necessarily indicate whether cash flows will be sufficient to fund cash needs. Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The following is a reconciliation of net income, which is the most directly comparable measure calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA for each of the periods presented:


	Twelve Months Ended December 31,						Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2019			2018			2019			2018			2017
Net income	$	294		$	393		$	258		$	312		$	149
Income tax expense		(36	)		128			9			130			(151	)
Interest expense, net		140			139			142			138			149
Depreciation and amortization		271			264			269			261			251
Loss on extinguishment of debt (a)		4			33			7			31			35
Net gain on divestitures of business and asset dispositions and sale of securities (b)		(4	)		(6	)		(4	)		(6	)		(4	)
Restructuring costs (c)		26			66			27			66			14
Net hedging gains and foreign exchange gains (d)		(23	)		(22	)		(38	)		(7	)		22
Management fees (e)		11			16			11			16			9
Transaction costs (f)		—			3			3			—			3
Business optimization expenses (g)		28			15			22			21			15
Equity-based compensation expense (h)		30			56			49			62			70
Other non-cash charges (i)		(3	)		(15	)		(19	)		—			19
Pro forma impact of specified transactions and other cost-savings initiatives (j)		2			19			1			9			23

Adjusted EBITDA (k)	$	740		$	1,089		$	737		$	1,033		$	604

(a)

Reflects net loss incurred on the early extinguishment of our debt incurred as part of the October 2018 partial redemption of the 4.125% Secured Notes, the October 2018 open market purchase of the 4.875% Secured Notes, the November 2018 partial redemption of 5.625% Secured Notes, the May 2019 redemption of the remaining 5.625% Secured Notes, December 2017 and June 2018 Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement Amendments (as defined in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” below).

(b)

Reflects net gain on divestitures of business and asset dispositions and the sale of investment securities.

(c)

Reflects severance costs and other restructuring-related expenses.

(d)

Reflects net gains or losses from hedging activities and unrealized net gains due to foreign exchange on our Euro denominated debt and intercompany transactions.

(e)

Reflects Access management fees equal to 1.5% of EBITDA, including an annual fee and related expenses.

(f)

Reflects mainly integration, transaction and other nonrecurring costs.

(g)

Reflects primarily costs associated with information technology systems updates and U.S. shared services relocation and other transformation initiatives.

(h)

Reflects non-cash equity-based compensation expense related to the Warner Music Group Corp. Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan.

(i)

Reflects cash payments related to previous non-cash charges, including but not limited to costs associated with our Los Angeles office consolidation (i.e., reversal of add-backs from lease terminations), unrealized gains on the mark-to-market of an equity method investment and losses on cost method investments.

(j)

Reflects pro forma impact of specified transactions and reasonably identifiable and factually supportable savings resulting from our U.S. shared services relocation and other transformation and cost-savings initiatives from actions taken or expected to be taken no later than 18 months after the end of such period.

(k)

Fiscal year 2018 includes a net gain of $389 million, pre-tax, related to the sale of Spotify shares acquired in the ordinary course of business.

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider and read carefully all of the risks and uncertainties described below, as well as other information contained in this prospectus, including our annual and interim financial statements, before making an investment decision. The risks described below are not the only ones facing us. The occurrence of any of the following risks or additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial could materially and adversely affect our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows. In any such case, the trading price of our Class A common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements and estimates that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of specific factors, including the risks and uncertainties described below.

Risks Related to Our Business

We may be unable to compete successfully in the highly competitive markets in which we operate, and we may suffer reduced profits as a result.

The industries in which we operate are highly competitive, have experienced ongoing consolidation among major music entertainment companies and are driven by consumer preferences that are rapidly changing. Additionally, they require substantial human and capital resources. We compete with other recorded music companies and music publishing companies to identify and sign new recording artists and songwriters with the potential to achieve long-term success and to enter into and renew agreements with established recording artists and songwriters. In addition, our competitors may from time to time increase the amounts they spend to discover, or to market and promote, recording artists and songwriters or reduce the prices of their music in an effort to expand market share. We may lose business if we are unable to sign successful recording artists or songwriters or to match the prices of the music offered by our competitors. Our Recorded Music business competes not only with other recorded music companies, but also with recording artists who may choose to distribute their own works (which has become more practicable as music is distributed online rather than physically) and companies in other industries (such as Spotify) that may choose to sign direct deals with recording artists or recorded music companies. Our Music Publishing business competes not only with other music publishing companies, but also with songwriters who publish their own works and companies in other industries that may choose to sign direct deals with songwriters or music publishing companies. Our Recorded Music business is to a large extent dependent on technological developments, including access to and selection and viability of new technologies, and is subject to potential pressure from competitors as a result of their technological developments. For example, our Recorded Music business may be further adversely affected by technological developments that facilitate the piracy of music, such as Internet peer-to-peer file sharing, by an inability to enforce our intellectual property rights in digital environments and by a failure to further develop successful business models applicable to a digital environment. The Recorded Music business also faces competition from other forms of entertainment and leisure activities, such as cable and satellite television, motion pictures and video games in physical and digital formats.

Our prospects and financial results may be adversely affected if we fail to identify, sign and retain recording artists and songwriters and by the existence or absence of superstar releases.

We are dependent on identifying, signing and retaining recording artists with long-term potential, whose debut music is well received on release, whose subsequent music is anticipated by consumers and whose music will continue to generate sales as part of our catalog for years to come. The competition among record companies for such talent is intense. Competition among record companies to sell and otherwise market and promote music is also intense. We are also dependent on signing and retaining songwriters who will write the hit songs of today and the classics of tomorrow. Our competitive position is dependent on our continuing ability to attract and develop recording artists and songwriters whose work can achieve a high degree of public acceptance and who

can timely deliver their music to us. Our financial results may be adversely affected if we are unable to identify, sign and retain such recording artists and songwriters under terms that are economically attractive to us. Our financial results may also be affected by the existence or absence of superstar recording artist releases during a particular period. Some music entertainment industry observers believe that the number of superstar recording acts with long-term appeal, both in terms of catalog sales and future releases, has declined in recent years. Additionally, our financial results are generally affected by the appeal of our recorded music and music publishing catalogs to consumers.

If streaming adoption or revenues grows less rapidly or levels off, our prospects and our results of operations may be adversely affected.

Streaming revenues are important because they have offset declines in downloads and physical sales and represent a growing area of our Recorded Music business. According to IFPI, streaming revenues, which includes revenues from ad-supported and subscription services, accounted for approximately 80% of digital revenues in 2018, up approximately 10% year-over-year. There can be no assurance that this growth pattern will persist or that digital revenues will continue to grow at a rate sufficient to offset and exceed declines in downloads and physical sales. If growth in streaming revenues levels off or fails to grow as quickly as it has over the past several years, our Recorded Music business may experience reduced levels of revenues and operating income. Additionally, slower growth in streaming adoption or revenues is also likely to have a negative impact on our Music Publishing business, which generates a significant portion of its revenues from sales and other uses of recorded music.

We are substantially dependent on a limited number of digital music services for the online distribution and marketing of our music, and they are able to significantly influence the pricing structure for online music stores and may not correctly calculate royalties under license agreements.

We derive an increasing portion of our revenues from the licensing of music through digital distribution channels. We are currently dependent on a small number of leading digital music services. In fiscal year 2019, revenue earned under our license agreements with our top two digital music accounts, Apple and Spotify, accounted for approximately 27% of our total revenues. We have limited ability to increase our wholesale prices to digital music services as a small number of digital music services control much of the legitimate digital music business. If these services were to adopt a lower pricing model or if there were structural changes to other pricing models, we could receive substantially less for our music, which could cause a material reduction in our revenues, unless offset by a corresponding increase in the number of transactions. We currently enter into short-term license agreements with many digital music services and provide our music on an at-will basis to others. There can be no assurance that we will be able to renew or enter into new license agreements with any digital music service. The terms of these license agreements, including the royalty rates that we receive pursuant to them, may change as a result of changes in our bargaining power, changes in the industry, changes in the law, or for other reasons. Decreases in royalty rates, rates of revenue sharing or changes to other terms of these license agreements may materially impact our business, operating results and financial condition. Digital music services generally accept and make available all of the music that we deliver to them. However, if digital music services in the future decide to limit the types or amount of music they will accept from music entertainment companies like us, our revenues could be significantly reduced. See “Business—Recorded Music—Sales and Digital Distribution.”

We are also substantially dependent on a limited number of digital music services for the marketing of our music. A significant proportion of the music streamed on digital music services is from playlists curated by those services or generated from those services’ algorithms. If these services were to fail to include our music on playlists, change the position of our music on playlists or give us less marketing space, it could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Under our license agreements and relevant statutes, we receive royalties from digital music services in order to stream or otherwise offer our music. The determination of the amount and timing of such payments is complex and subject to a number of variables, including the revenue generated, the type of music offered and the country

in which it is sold, identification of the appropriate licensor, and the service tier on which music is made available. As a result, we may not be paid appropriately for our music. Failure to be accurately paid our royalties may adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition.

Our business operations in some foreign countries subject us to trends, developments or other events which may affect us adversely.

We are a global company with strong local presences, which have become increasingly important as the popularity of music originating from a country’s own language and culture has increased in recent years. Our mix of national and international recording artists and songwriters is designed to provide a significant degree of diversification. However, our music does not necessarily enjoy universal appeal and if it does not continue to appeal in various countries, our results of operations could be adversely impacted. As a result, our results can be affected not only by general industry trends, but also by trends, developments or other events in individual countries, including:

•

limited legal protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights;

•

restrictions on the repatriation of capital;

•

fluctuations in interest and foreign exchange rates;

•

differences and unexpected changes in regulatory environment, including environmental, health and safety, local planning, zoning and labor laws, rules and regulations;

•

varying tax regimes which could adversely affect our results of operations or cash flows, including regulations relating to transfer pricing and withholding taxes on remittances and other payments by subsidiaries and joint ventures;

•

exposure to different legal standards and enforcement mechanisms and the associated cost of compliance;

•

difficulties in attracting and retaining qualified management and employees or rationalizing our workforce;

•

tariffs, duties, export controls and other trade barriers;

•

global economic and retail environment;

•

longer accounts receivable settlement cycles and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable;

•

recessionary trends, inflation and instability of the financial markets;

•

higher interest rates; and

•

political instability.

We may not be able to insure or hedge against these risks, and we may not be able to ensure compliance with all of the applicable regulations without incurring additional costs, or at all. For example, our results of operations could be impacted by fluctuations of the U.S. dollar against most currencies. See “—Unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect our results of operations.” Furthermore, financing may not be available in countries with less than investment-grade sovereign credit ratings. As a result, it may be difficult to create or maintain profitable operations in various countries.

In addition, our results can be affected by trends, developments and other events in individual countries. There can be no assurance that in the future country-specific trends, developments or other events will not have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Unfavorable conditions can depress revenues in any given market and prompt promotional or other actions that adversely affect our margins.

Unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect our results of operations.

As we continue to expand our international operations, we become increasingly exposed to the effects of fluctuations in currency exchange rates. The reporting currency for our financial statements is the U.S. dollar. We have substantial assets, liabilities, revenues and costs denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars. To prepare our consolidated financial statements, we must translate those assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses into U.S. dollars at then-applicable exchange rates. Consequently, increases and decreases in the value of the U.S. dollar versus other currencies will affect the amount of these items in our consolidated financial statements, even if their value has not changed in their original currency. These translations could result in significant changes to our results of operations from period to period. Prior to intersegment eliminations, 56% of our revenues related to operations in foreign territories for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. From time to time, we enter into foreign exchange contracts to hedge the risk of unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate movements. During the current fiscal year, we have hedged a portion of our material foreign currency exposures related to royalty payments remitted between our foreign affiliates and our U.S. affiliates. However, these hedging strategies should not be expected to fully eliminate the foreign exchange rate risk to which we are exposed.

Our business may be adversely affected by competitive market conditions, and we may not be able to execute our business strategy.

We expect to increase revenues and cash flow through a business strategy which requires us, among other things, to continue to maximize the value of our music, to significantly reduce costs to maximize flexibility and adjust to new realities of the market, to continue to act to contain digital piracy and to diversify our revenue streams into growing segments of the music entertainment business by continuing to capitalize on digital distribution and emerging technologies, entering into expanded-rights deals with recording artists and by operating our artist services businesses.

Each of these initiatives requires sustained management focus, organization and coordination over significant periods of time. Each of these initiatives also requires success in building relationships with third parties and in anticipating and keeping up with technological developments and consumer preferences and may involve the implementation of new business models or distribution platforms. The results of our strategy and the success of our implementation of this strategy will not be known for some time in the future. If we are unable to implement our strategy successfully or properly react to changes in market conditions, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be adversely affected.

Due to the nature of our business, our results of operations and cash flows and the trading price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly from period to period.

Our results of operations are affected by the amount and quality of music that we release, the number of releases that include musical compositions published by us, timing of release schedules and, more importantly, the consumer demand for these releases. We also make advance payments to recording artists and songwriters, which impact our results of operations and operating cash flows. The timing of releases and advance payments is largely based on business and other considerations and is made without regard to the impact of the timing of the release on our financial results. In addition, certain of our license agreements with digital music services contain minimum guarantees and/or require that we are paid minimum guarantee payments. Our results of operations and cash flows in any reporting period may be materially affected by the timing of releases and advance payments and minimum guarantees, which may result in significant fluctuations from period to period, which may have an adverse impact on the price of our Class A common stock. In addition, in 2013, we adopted the Plan, which pays annual bonuses to certain executives based on our free cash flow and offers participants the opportunity to share in appreciation of our common stock. The extent of the benefits awarded under this program is affected by our operating results and trading price of our common stock and, as such, to the extent that either or both fluctuates, the value of the award may increase or decrease materially, which could affect our cash flows and results of operations. For additional information on the Plan, see “Executive Compensation—Long-Term Equity Incentives—Warner Music Group Corp. Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan.”

Our ability to operate effectively could be impaired if we fail to attract and retain our executive officers.

We compete with other music entertainment companies and other companies for top talent, including executive officers. Our success depends, in part, upon the continuing contributions of our executive officers, however, there is no guarantee that they will not leave. Only some of our executive officers have employment agreements. In fiscal year 2019, we did not have an employment agreement with our CEO. Our CEO and certain of our executive officers and members of management are participants in the Plan. The loss of the services of any of our executive officers or key members of management the failure to attract and retain other executive officers could have a material adverse effect on our business or our business prospects.

A significant portion of our revenues are subject to rate regulation either by government entities or by local third-party collecting societies throughout the world and rates on other income streams may be set by governmental proceedings, which may limit our profitability.

Mechanical royalties and performance royalties are two of the main sources of income to our Music Publishing business and mechanical royalties are a significant expense to our Recorded Music business. In the United States, mechanical royalty rates are set every five years pursuant to an administrative process under the U.S. Copyright Act, unless rates are determined through industry negotiations, and performance royalty rates are determined by negotiations with performing rights societies, the largest of which, ASCAP and BMI, are subject to a consent decree rate-setting process if negotiations are unsuccessful. In June 2019, the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice opened a review of its consent decrees with ASCAP and BMI to determine whether the decrees should be maintained in their current form, modified or terminated. Outside the United States, mechanical and performance royalty rates are typically negotiated on an industry-wide basis. In most territories outside the United States, mechanical royalties are based on a percentage of wholesale prices for physical product and based on a percentage of consumer prices for digital formats. The mechanical and performance royalty rates set pursuant to such processes may adversely affect us by limiting our ability to increase the profitability of our Music Publishing business. If the mechanical and performance royalty rates are set too high it may also adversely affect us by limiting our ability to increase the profitability of our Recorded Music business. In addition, rates our Recorded Music business receives in the United States for webcasting and satellite radio are set every five years by an administrative process under the U.S. Copyright Act unless rates are determined through industry negotiations. It is important as revenues continue to shift from physical to diversified distribution channels that we receive fair value for all of the uses of our intellectual property as our business model now depends upon multiple revenue streams from multiple sources. The rates set for recorded music and music publishing income sources through collecting societies or legally prescribed rate-setting processes could have a material adverse impact on our business prospects.

Failure to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property rights could substantially harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

The success of our business depends on our ability to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce our trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights. The measures that we take to obtain, maintain, protect and enforce our intellectual property rights, including, if necessary, litigation or proceedings before governmental authorities and administrative bodies, may be ineffective, expensive and time-consuming and, despite such measures, third parties may be able to obtain and use our intellectual property rights without our permission. Additionally, changes in law may be implemented, or changes in interpretation of such laws may occur, that may affect our ability to obtain, maintain, protect or enforce our intellectual property rights. Failure to obtain, maintain, protect or enforce our intellectual property rights could harm our brand or brand recognition and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation.

We also in-license certain major trademarks from third parties, including the WARNER, WARNER MUSIC and WARNER RECORDS trademarks and the “W” logo, pursuant to a perpetual, royalty-free license agreement that may be terminated by the licensor under certain circumstances, including our material breach of the license agreement and certain events of insolvency. Upon any such termination, we may be required to either negotiate a new or reinstated agreement with less favorable terms or otherwise lose our rights to use the licensed trademarks,

which may require us to change our corporate name and undergo other significant rebranding efforts. Any such rebranding efforts may be disruptive to our business operations, require us to incur significant expenses and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operation.

Our involvement in intellectual property litigation could adversely affect our business.

Our business is highly dependent upon intellectual property, an area that has encountered increased litigation in recent years. If we are alleged to infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the intellectual property rights of a third party, any litigation to defend the claim could be costly and would divert the time and resources of management, regardless of the merits of the claim and whether the claim is settled out of court or determined in our favor. There can be no assurance that we would prevail in any such litigation. If we were to lose a litigation relating to intellectual property, we could be forced to pay monetary damages and to cease using certain intellectual property or technologies. Any of the foregoing may adversely affect our business.

Digital piracy continues to adversely impact our business.

A substantial portion of our revenue comes from the distribution of music which is potentially subject to unauthorized consumer copying and widespread digital dissemination without an economic return to us, including as a result of “stream-ripping.” In its Music Listening 2019 report, IFPI surveyed 34,000 Internet users to examine the ways in which music consumers aged 16 to 64 engage with recorded music across 21 countries. Of those surveyed, 23% used illegal stream-ripping services, the leading form of music piracy. Organized industrial piracy may also lead to decreased revenues. The impact of digital piracy on legitimate music revenues and subscriptions is hard to quantify, but we believe that illegal file sharing and other forms of unauthorized activity, including stream manipulation, have a substantial negative impact on music revenues. If we fail to obtain appropriate relief through the judicial process or the complete enforcement of judicial decisions issued in our favor (or if judicial decisions are not in our favor), if we are unsuccessful in our efforts to lobby governments to enact and enforce stronger legal penalties for copyright infringement or if we fail to develop effective means of protecting and enforcing our intellectual property (whether copyrights or other intellectual property rights such as patents, trademarks and trade secrets) or our music entertainment-related products or services, our results of operations, financial position and prospects may suffer.

An impairment in the carrying value of goodwill or other intangible and long-lived assets could negatively affect our operating results and equity.

As of December 31, 2019, we had $1.768 billion of goodwill and $152 million of indefinite-lived intangible assets. Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”) requires that we test these assets for impairment annually (or more frequently should indications of impairment arise) by first assessing qualitative factors and then by quantitatively estimating the fair value of each of our reporting units (calculated using a discounted cash flow method) and comparing that value to the reporting units’ carrying value, if necessary. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, there is a potential impairment and additional testing must be performed. In performing our annual tests and determining whether indications of impairment exist, we consider numerous factors including actual and projected operating results of each reporting unit, external market factors such as market prices for similar assets and trends in the music entertainment industry. We performed an annual assessment, at July 1, 2019, of the recoverability of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles as of September 30, 2019, noting no instances of impairment. However, future events may occur that could adversely affect the estimated fair value of our reporting units. Such events may include, but are not limited to, strategic decisions made in response to changes in economic and competitive conditions and the impact of the economic environment on our operating results. Failure to achieve sufficient levels of cash flow at our reporting units could also result in impairment charges on goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. If the value of the acquired goodwill or acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets is impaired, our operating results and shareholders’ equity could be adversely affected.

We also had $1.712 billion of definite-lived intangible assets as of December 31, 2019. FASB ASC Topic 360-10-35 (“ASC 360-10-35”) requires companies to review these assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. No such events or circumstances were identified during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019. If similar events occur as enumerated above such that we believe indicators of impairment are present, we would test for recoverability by comparing the carrying value of the asset to the net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the asset. If those net undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the carrying amount, we would perform the next step, which is to determine the fair value of the asset, which could result in an impairment charge. Any impairment charge recorded could negatively affect our operating results and shareholders’ equity.

We may not have full control and ability to direct the operations we conduct through joint ventures.

We currently have interests in a number of joint ventures and may in the future enter into further joint ventures as a means of conducting our business. In addition, we structure certain of our relationships with recording artists and songwriters as joint ventures. We may not be able to fully control the operations and the assets of our joint ventures, and we may not be able to make major decisions or may not be able to take timely actions with respect to our joint ventures unless our joint venture partners agree.

If we acquire, combine with or invest in other businesses, we will face risks inherent in such transactions.

We have in the past considered and will continue, from time to time, to consider, opportunistic strategic or transformative transactions, which could involve acquisitions, combinations or dispositions of businesses or assets, or strategic alliances or joint ventures with companies engaged in music entertainment, entertainment or other businesses. Any such combination could be material, be difficult to implement, disrupt our business or change our business profile, focus or strategy significantly.

Any future transaction could involve numerous risks, including:

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potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management;

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potential loss of recording artists or songwriters from our rosters;

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difficulty integrating the acquired businesses or segregating assets to be disposed of;

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exposure to unknown and/or contingent or other liabilities, including litigation arising in connection with the acquisition, disposition and/or against any businesses we may acquire;

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reputational or other damages to our business as a result of a failure to consummate such a transaction for, among other reasons, failure to gain antitrust approval; and

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changing our business profile in ways that could have unintended consequences.

If we enter into significant transactions in the future, related accounting charges may affect our financial condition and results of operations, particularly in the case of any acquisitions. In addition, the financing of any significant acquisition may result in changes in our capital structure, including the incurrence of additional indebtedness, which may be substantial. Conversely, any material disposition could reduce our indebtedness or require the amendment or refinancing of our outstanding indebtedness or a portion thereof. We may not be successful in addressing these risks or any other problems encountered in connection with any strategic or transformative transactions. We cannot assure you that if we make any future acquisitions, investments, strategic alliances or joint ventures or enter into any business combination that they will be completed in a timely manner, or at all, that they will be structured or financed in a way that will enhance our creditworthiness or that they will meet our strategic objectives or otherwise be successful. We also may not be successful in implementing appropriate operational, financial and management systems and controls to achieve the benefits expected to result from these transactions. Failure to effectively manage any of these transactions could result in material increases in costs or reductions in expected revenues, or both. In addition, if any new business in which we invest or which

we attempt to develop does not progress as planned, we may not recover the funds and resources we have expended and this could have a negative impact on our businesses or our company as a whole.

We have outsourced certain finance and accounting functions and may outsource other back-office functions, which will make us more dependent upon third parties.

In an effort to be more efficient and generate cost savings, we have outsourced certain finance and accounting functions. As a result, we rely on third parties to ensure that our needs are sufficiently met. This reliance subjects us to risks arising from the loss of control over processes, changes in pricing that may affect our operating results, and potentially, termination of provisions of these services by our suppliers. A failure of our service providers to perform services in a satisfactory manner may have a significant adverse effect on our business. We may outsource other back-office functions in the future, which would increase our reliance on third parties.

We have engaged in substantial restructuring activities in the past, and may need to implement further restructurings in the future and our restructuring efforts may not be successful or generate expected cost savings.

Our business is significantly impacted by ongoing changes in the music entertainment industry. In response, we actively seek to adapt our cost structure to the changing economics of the industry. For example, we have shifted and continue to shift resources from our physical sales channels to efforts focused on digital channels, emerging technologies and other new revenue streams, and we continue our efforts to reduce overhead and manage our variable and fixed-cost structure. In fiscal year 2018, we completed the creation of our new center of excellence for U.S. financial shared services in Nashville, Tennessee, which combined our U.S. transactional financial functions in one location. To establish the new center, we moved some of our U.S. departments to Nashville. In August 2019, we announced that we were beginning a financial transformation initiative to upgrade our information technology and finance infrastructure over the next two years, including related systems and processes. We expect to incur significant costs in connection with this project, and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in upgrading our systems and processes effectively or on the timetable and at the costs contemplated, or that we will achieve the expected long-term cost savings.

We cannot be certain that we will not be required to implement further restructuring activities, make additions or other changes to our management or workforce based on other cost reduction measures or changes in the markets and industry in which we compete. Our inability to structure our operations based on evolving market conditions could impact our business. Restructuring activities can create unanticipated consequences and negative impacts on the business, and we cannot be sure that any ongoing or future restructuring efforts will be successful or generate expected cost savings.

If we or our service providers do not maintain the security of information relating to our customers, employees and vendors and our music, security information breaches through cyber security attacks or otherwise could damage our reputation with customers, employees, vendors and artists, and we could incur substantial additional costs, become subject to litigation and our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. Moreover, even if we or our service providers maintain such security, such breaches remain a possibility due to the fact that no data security system is immune from attacks or other incidents.

We receive certain personal information about our customers and potential customers, and we also receive personal information concerning our employees, artists and vendors. In addition, our online operations depend upon the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. We maintain security measures with respect to such information, but despite these measures, are vulnerable to security breaches by computer hackers and others that attempt to penetrate the security measures that we have in place. A compromise of our security systems (through cyber-attacks, which are rapidly evolving and sophisticated, or otherwise) that results

in personal information being obtained by unauthorized persons or other bad acts could adversely affect our reputation with our customers, potential customers, employees, artists and vendors, as well as our operations, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and could result in litigation against us or the imposition of governmental penalties. Unauthorized persons have also attempted to redirect payments to or from us. If any such attempt were successful, we could lose and fail to recover the redirected funds, which loss could be material. We may also be subject to cyber-attacks that target our music, including not-yet-released music. The theft and premature release of this music may adversely affect our reputation with current and potential artists and adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, a security breach could require that we expend significant additional resources related to our information security systems and could result in a disruption of our operations.

We increasingly rely on third-party data storage providers, including cloud storage solution providers, resulting in less direct control over our data. Such third parties may also be vulnerable to security breaches and compromised security systems, which could adversely affect our business.

Evolving laws and regulations concerning data privacy may result in increased regulation and different industry standards, which could increase the costs of operations or limit our activities.

We engage in a wide array of online activities and are thus subject to a broad range of related laws and regulations including, for example, those relating to privacy, consumer protection, data retention and data protection, online behavioral advertising, geo-location tracking, text messaging, e-mail advertising, mobile advertising, content regulation, defamation, age verification, the protection of children online, social media and other Internet, mobile and online-related prohibitions and restrictions. The regulatory framework for privacy and data security issues worldwide has become increasingly burdensome and complex, and is likely to continue to be so for the foreseeable future. Practices regarding the collection, use, storage, transmission, security and disclosure of personal information by companies operating over the Internet and mobile platforms are receiving ever-increasing public and governmental scrutiny. The U.S. government, including Congress, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce, has announced that it is reviewing the need for even greater regulation for the collection of information concerning consumer behavior on the Internet and mobile platforms, including regulation aimed at restricting certain targeted advertising practices, the use of location data and disclosures of privacy practices in the online and mobile environments, including with respect to online and mobile applications. State governments are engaged in similar legislative and regulatory activities. In addition, privacy and data security laws and regulations around the world are being implemented rapidly and evolving. These new and evolving laws (including the European Union General Data Protection Regulation effective on May 25, 2018 and the California Consumer Privacy Act effective on January 1, 2020) are likely to result in greater compliance burdens for companies with global operations. Globally, many government and consumer agencies have also called for new regulation and changes in industry practices with respect to information collected from consumers, electronic marketing and the use of third-party cookies, web beacons and similar technology for online behavioral advertising.

The Federal Trade Commission adopted certain revisions to its rule promulgated pursuant to the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”), effective as of July 1, 2013, that may impose greater compliance burdens on us. COPPA imposes a number of obligations, such as obtaining verifiable parental permission on operators of websites, apps and other online services to the extent they collect certain information from children who are under 13 years of age. The changes broaden the applicability of COPPA, including by expanding the definition of “personal information” subject to the rule’s parental consent and other obligations.

Our business, including our ability to operate and expand internationally, could be adversely affected if laws or regulations are adopted, interpreted or implemented in a manner that is inconsistent with our current business practices and that require changes to these practices. Therefore, our business could be harmed by any significant change to applicable laws, regulations or industry practices regarding the collection, use or disclosure of customer data, or regarding the manner in which the express or implied consent of consumers for such collection, use and disclosure is obtained. Such changes may require us to modify our operations, possibly in a material manner, and may limit our ability to develop new products, services, mechanisms, platforms and features that make use of data regarding our customers and potential customers. Any actual or alleged violations of laws and

regulations relating to privacy and data security, and any relevant claims, may expose us to potential liability, fines and may require us to expend significant resources in responding to and defending such allegations and claims, regardless of merit. Claims or allegations that we have violated laws and regulations relating to privacy and data security could also result in negative publicity and a loss of confidence in us.

The enactment of legislation limiting the terms by which an individual can be bound under a “personal services” contract could impair our ability to retain the services of key artists.

California Labor Code Section 2855 (“Section 2855”) limits the duration of time any individual can be bound under a contract for “personal services” to a maximum of seven years. In 1987, Subsection (b) was added, which provides a limited exception to Section 2855 for recording contracts, creating a damages remedy for record companies. Such legislation could result in certain of our existing contracts with artists being declared

unenforceable, or may restrict the terms under which we enter into contracts with artists in the future, either of

which could adversely affect our results of operations. There is no assurance that California will not introduce legislation in the future seeking to repeal Subsection (b). The repeal of Subsection (b) and/or the passage of legislation similar to Section 2855 by other states could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial position.

We face a potential loss of catalog to the extent that our recording artists have a right to recapture rights in their recordings under the U.S. Copyright Act.

The U.S. Copyright Act provides authors (or their heirs) a right to terminate U.S. licenses or assignments of rights in their copyrighted works in certain circumstances. This right does not apply to works that are “works made for hire.” Since the enactment of the Sound Recordings Act of 1971, which first accorded federal copyright protection for sound recordings in the U.S., virtually all of our agreements with recording artists provide that such recording artists render services under a work-made-for-hire relationship. A termination right exists under the U.S. Copyright Act for U.S. rights in musical compositions that are not “works made for hire.” If any of our commercially available sound recordings were determined not to be “works made for hire,” then the recording artists (or their heirs) could have the right to terminate the U.S. federal copyright rights they granted to us, generally during a five-year period starting at the end of 35 years from the date of release of a recording under a post-1977 license or assignment (or, in the case of a pre-1978 grant in a pre-1978 recording, generally during a five-year period starting at the end of 56 years from the date of copyright). A termination of U.S. federal copyright rights could have an adverse effect on our Recorded Music business. From time to time, authors (or their heirs) have the opportunity to terminate our U.S. rights in musical compositions. We believe the effect of any potential terminations is already reflected in the financial results of our business.

If our recording artists and songwriters are characterized as employees, we would be subject to employment and withholding liabilities.

Although we believe that the recording artists and songwriters with which we partner are properly characterized as independent contractors, tax or other regulatory authorities may in the future challenge our characterization of these relationships. We are aware of a number of judicial decisions and legislative proposals that could bring about major reforms in worker classification, including the California legislature’s recent passage of California Assembly Bill 5 (“AB 5”). AB 5 purports to codify a new test for determining worker classification that is widely viewed as expanding the scope of employee relationships and narrowing the scope of independent contractor relationships. Given AB 5’s recent passage, there is no guidance from the regulatory authorities charged with its enforcement, and there is a significant degree of uncertainty regarding its application. In addition, AB 5 has been the subject of widespread national discussion and it is possible that other jurisdictions may enact similar laws. If such regulatory authorities or state, federal or foreign courts were to determine that our recording artists and songwriters are employees, and not independent contractors, we would be required to withhold income taxes, to withhold and pay Social Security, Medicare and similar taxes and to pay unemployment and other related payroll taxes. We would also be liable for unpaid past taxes and subject to

penalties. As a result, any determination that our recording artists and songwriters are our employees could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Fulfilling our obligations incident to being a public company will be expensive and time-consuming, and any delays or difficulties in satisfying these obligations could have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations and our stock price.

Following this offering, we will be subject to the reporting, accounting and corporate governance requirements applicable to issuers of listed equity, including the listing standards of the and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. The expenses associated with being a public company include increases in auditing, accounting and legal fees and expenses, investor relations expenses, increased directors’ fees and director and officer liability insurance costs, registrar and transfer agent fees and listing fees, as well as other expenses. Failure to comply with any of the public company requirements applicable to us following the offering could potentially subject us to sanctions or investigations by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) the or other regulatory authorities.

Risks Related to Our Leverage

Our substantial leverage on a consolidated basis could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, limit our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from meeting our obligations under our indebtedness.

We are highly leveraged. As of December 31, 2019, our total consolidated indebtedness, net of deferred financing costs, was $2.988 billion. In addition, we would have been able to borrow up to $167 million under our Revolving Credit Facility (as defined later in this prospectus) as of December 31, 2019 (after giving effect to approximately $13 million of letters of credit outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility as of December 31, 2019).

Our high degree of leverage could have important consequences for our investors. For example, it may make it more difficult for us to make payments on our indebtedness; increase our vulnerability to general economic and industry conditions, including recessions and periods of significant inflation and financial market volatility; expose us to the risk of increased interest rates because any borrowings we make under the revolving portion of our Senior Credit Facilities will bear interest at variable rates; require us to use a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our indebtedness, thereby reducing our ability to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other expenses; limit our ability to refinance existing indebtedness on favorable terms or at all or borrow additional funds in the future for, among other things, working capital, acquisitions or debt service requirements; limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we operate; place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to competitors that have less indebtedness; and limit our ability to borrow additional funds that may be needed to operate and expand our business.

We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, subject to the restrictions contained in the indentures governing our outstanding notes as well as under the Senior Credit Facilities. If new indebtedness is added to our current debt levels, the related risks that we and our subsidiaries now face could intensify.

The indentures that govern our outstanding notes and the Senior Credit Facilities contain restrictive covenants that limit our ability to engage in activities that may be in our long-term best interests. Those covenants include restrictions on our ability to, among other things, incur more indebtedness, pay dividends, redeem stock or make other distributions, make investments, create liens, transfer or sell assets, merge or consolidate and enter into certain transactions with our affiliates. Our failure to comply with those covenants

could result in an event of default, which, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of all of our indebtedness. See also “—Our debt agreements contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business.” Any such event of default or acceleration could have an adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock.

As a holding company, WMG depends on the ability of its subsidiaries to transfer funds to it to meet its obligations.

WMG is a holding company for all of our operations and is a legal entity separate from its subsidiaries. Dividends and other distributions from WMG’s subsidiaries are the principal sources of funds available to WMG to pay corporate operating expenses, to pay stockholder dividends, to repurchase stock and to meet its other obligations. The inability to receive dividends from our subsidiaries could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations.

The subsidiaries of WMG have no obligation to pay amounts due on any liabilities of WMG or to make funds available to WMG for such payments. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or other distributions to WMG in the future will depend, among other things, on their earnings, tax considerations and covenants contained in any financing or other agreements, such as the covenants governing our current indebtedness which restrict the ability of Acquisition Corp. to pay dividends and make distributions. In addition, such payments may be limited as a result of claims against our subsidiaries by their creditors, including suppliers, vendors, lessors and employees.

If the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other distributions or payments to WMG is materially restricted by cash needs, bankruptcy or insolvency, or is limited due to operating results or other factors, we may be required to raise cash through the incurrence of debt, the issuance of equity or the sale of assets. However, there is no assurance that we would be able to raise sufficient cash by these means. This could materially and adversely affect our ability to pay our obligations or pay dividends, which could have an adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock.

Acquisition Corp. may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of its indebtedness, and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy its obligations under its indebtedness, which may not be successful.

Acquisition Corp.’s ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance its debt obligations depends on its financial condition and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business and other factors beyond our control. Acquisition Corp. may not maintain a level of cash flow from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness.

Acquisition Corp. will rely on its subsidiaries to make payments on its borrowings. If these subsidiaries do not dividend funds to Acquisition Corp. in an amount sufficient to make such payments, if necessary in the future, Acquisition Corp. may default under the indentures or credit facilities governing its borrowings, which would result in all such borrowings becoming due and payable.

Our debt agreements contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business.

The indentures governing our outstanding notes contain various covenants that limit our ability to engage in specified types of transactions. These covenants limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to, among other things: incur additional debt or issue certain preferred shares; create liens on certain debt; pay dividends on or make distributions in respect of our capital stock or make investments or other restricted payments; sell certain assets; pay dividends to us (in the case of our restricted subsidiaries) or make certain other intercompany transfers; enter into certain transactions with our affiliates; and consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets.

In addition, the credit agreements governing the Senior Credit Facilities contain a number of covenants that limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: pay dividends on, and redeem and purchase, equity interests; make other restricted payments; make prepayments on, redeem or repurchase certain debt; incur certain liens; make certain loans and investments; incur certain additional debt; enter into guarantees and hedging arrangements; enter into mergers, acquisitions and asset sales; enter into transactions with affiliates; change the business we and our subsidiaries conduct; pay dividends or make distributions; amend the terms of subordinated debt and unsecured bonds; and make certain capital expenditures.

Our ability to borrow additional amounts under the revolving portion of the Senior Credit Facilities depends upon satisfaction of these covenants. Events beyond our control can affect our ability to meet these covenants. In addition, under the credit agreement governing the revolving portion of the Senior Credit Facilities, a financial maintenance covenant is applicable if at the end of a quarter the outstanding amount of loans and letters of credit is in excess of $54 million.

Our failure to comply with obligations under the instruments governing our indebtedness may result in an event of default under such instruments. We cannot be certain that we will have funds available to remedy these defaults. A default, if not cured or waived, may permit acceleration of our indebtedness. If our indebtedness is accelerated, we cannot be certain that we will have sufficient funds available to pay the accelerated indebtedness or will have the ability to refinance the accelerated indebtedness on terms favorable to us or at all.

All of these restrictions could affect our ability to operate our business or may limit our ability to take advantage of potential business opportunities as they arise, and may have an adverse effect on the trading price of our common stock. We may, from time to time, refinance our existing indebtedness, which could result in the agreements governing any new indebtedness having fewer or less restrictive covenants, including removing or lessening restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness or make restricted payments.

If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may be forced to reduce or delay investments in recording artists and songwriters, capital expenditures or dividends, or to sell assets, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness. These alternative measures may not be successful and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations. In the absence of such operating results and resources, we could face substantial liquidity problems and might be required to dispose of material assets or operations to meet our debt service and other obligations. The indentures governing our outstanding notes restrict our ability to dispose of assets and use the proceeds from dispositions. We may not be able to consummate those dispositions or to obtain the proceeds which we could realize from them and these proceeds may not be adequate to meet any debt service obligations then due. While subject to certain restrictions in our debt agreements, if we were to pay dividends to our shareholders, the funds used to make such dividend payments would not be available to service our indebtedness.

Despite our indebtedness levels, we may be able to incur substantially more indebtedness, which may increase the risks created by our substantial indebtedness.

We may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness, including additional secured indebtedness, in the future. The indentures governing our outstanding notes and the credit agreements governing the Senior Credit Facilities will not fully prohibit us, Holdings or our subsidiaries from incurring additional indebtedness under certain circumstances. If we, Holdings or our subsidiaries are in compliance with certain incurrence ratios set forth in such indentures, we, Holdings or our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness, which may increase the risks created by our current substantial indebtedness.

Our ability to incur secured indebtedness is subject to compliance with certain secured leverage ratios that are calculated as of the date of incurrence. The amount of secured indebtedness that we are able to incur and the timing of any such incurrence under these ratios vary from time to time and are a function of several variables, including our outstanding indebtedness and our results of operations calculated as of specified dates or for certain periods.

To the extent that the terms of our current debt agreements would prevent us from incurring additional indebtedness, we may be able to obtain amendments to those agreements that would allow us to incur such additional indebtedness, and such additional indebtedness could be material.

A downgrade, suspension or withdrawal of the rating assigned by a rating agency to us could cause the liquidity or market value of our indebtedness to decline and our cost of capital to increase.

Any future lowering of our ratings may make it more difficult or more expensive for us to obtain additional debt financing. Therefore, although reductions in our debt ratings may not have an immediate impact on the cost of debt or our liquidity, they may impact the cost of debt and liquidity over the medium term and future access at a reasonable rate to the debt markets may be adversely impacted.

Risks Related to Our Controlling Stockholder

Following the completion of this offering, Access will continue to control us and may have conflicts of interest with other stockholders. Conflicts of interest may arise because affiliates of our controlling stockholder have continuing agreements and business relationships with us.

Upon completion of this offering, Access will hold approximately % of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock (or % of the total combined voting power if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock from the selling stockholders), and % of the economic interest of our outstanding common stock (or % of the economic interest if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock from the selling stockholders). As a result, and in addition to certain other rights granted to Access as disclosed elsewhere in this prospectus, Access will continue to be able to control the election of our directors, affect our legal and capital structure, change our management, determine our corporate and management policies and determine, without the consent of our other stockholders, the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to our stockholders for approval, including potential mergers or acquisitions, asset sales and other significant corporate transactions. Access will also have sufficient voting power to amend our organizational documents. In addition, under the provisions of a stockholder agreement that we will enter into with Access prior to the consummation of this offering (the “Stockholder Agreement”), Access will have consent rights with respect to certain corporate and business activities that we may undertake, including during periods where Access holds less than a majority of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock. Specifically, the Stockholder Agreement will provide that, until the date on which Access ceases to hold at least % of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock, Access’s prior written consent will be required before we may take certain corporate and business actions, whether directly or indirectly through a subsidiary, including, among others, the following:

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any merger, consolidation or similar transaction (or any amendment to or termination of an agreement to enter into such a transaction) with or into any other person whether in a single transaction or a series of transactions, subject to certain specified exceptions;

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any acquisition or disposition of securities, assets or liabilities, subject to certain specified exceptions;

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any change in our authorized capital stock or the creation of any new class or series of our capital stock;

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any issuance or acquisition of capital stock (including stock buy-backs, redemptions or other reductions of capital), or securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for capital stock or equity-linked securities, subject to certain specified exceptions;

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any issuance or acquisition of debt securities subject to certain specified exceptions; and

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any amendment (or approval or recommendation of any amendment) to our certificate of incorporation or by-laws.

As a result of these consent rights, Access will maintain significant control over our corporate and business activities until such rights cease. For additional discussion of Access’s consent rights under the Stockholder Agreement, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Stockholder Agreement—Consent Rights.”

Additionally, until Access ceases to hold at least a majority of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock, pursuant to Section 141(a) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”), the Executive Committee will have all of the power and authority (including voting power) of our board of directors. The Executive Committee will have the authority to approve any actions of the Company, except for matters that must be approved by the Audit Committee of our board of directors (or both the Executive Committee and the Audit Committee), or by a committee or sub-committee qualified to grant equity to persons subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) for purposes of exempting transactions pursuant to Section 16b-3 thereunder, or as required under Delaware law, SEC rules and the rules of the Exchange. See “Management—Board Composition and Director Independence.”

Access also has the power to direct us to engage in strategic transactions, with or involving other companies in our industry, including acquisitions, combinations or dispositions, and the acquisition of certain assets that may become available for purchase, and any such transaction could be material. Any such transaction would carry the risks set forth above under “—If we acquire, combine with or invest in other businesses, we will face certain risks inherent in such transactions.”

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws will also include a number of provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or control for so long as Access owns specified percentages of our common stock. See “—Risks Related to Our Common Stock and This Offering—Anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws and Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company and may affect the trading price of our Class A common stock.” These provisions not only could have a negative impact on the trading price of our Class A common stock, but could also allow Access to delay or prevent a corporate transaction of which the public stockholders approve.

Additionally, Access is in the business of making investments in companies and is actively seeking to acquire interests in businesses that operate in our industry and other industries and may compete, directly or indirectly, with us. Access may also pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, which could have the effect of making such acquisition opportunities unavailable to us. Access could elect to cause us to enter into business combinations or other transactions with any business or businesses in our industry that Access may acquire or control, or we could become part of a group of companies organized under the ultimate common control of Access that may be operated in a manner different from the manner in which we have historically operated. Any such business combination transaction could require that we or such group of companies incur additional indebtedness, and could also require us or any acquired business to make divestitures of assets necessary or desirable to obtain regulatory approval for such transaction. The amounts of such additional indebtedness, and the size of any such divestitures, could be material. Access may also from time to time purchase outstanding debt securities that we issued, and could also subsequently sell any such debt securities. Any such purchase or sale may affect the value of, trading price or liquidity of our debt securities. See “—Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, Access and its affiliates, and in some circumstances, any of our directors and officers who is also a director, officer, employee, stockholder, member or partner of Access and its affiliates, have no obligation to offer us corporate opportunities.”

Conflicts of interest may arise between our controlling stockholder and us. Affiliates of our controlling stockholder engage in transactions with us. Further, Access may, from time to time, acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us, and they may either directly, or through affiliates, also maintain business relationships with companies that may directly compete with us. In general, Access or its affiliates could pursue business interests or exercise their voting power as stockholders in ways that are detrimental

to us but beneficial to themselves or to other companies in which they invest or with whom they have a material relationship. In addition, a number of persons who currently are our directors and officers have been and remain otherwise affiliated with Access and, in some cases, such affiliations also involve financial interests. These relationships may create, or may create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when these directors and officers are faced with decisions that could have different implications for Access and us.

As a result of these relationships, the interests of Access may not coincide with our interests or the interests of the holders of our Class A common stock. So long as Access continues to control a significant amount of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock, Access will continue to be able to strongly influence or effectively control our decisions, including potential mergers or acquisitions, asset sales and other significant corporate transactions.

Under our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, Access and its affiliates, and in some circumstances, any of our directors and officers who is also a director, officer, employee, stockholder, member or partner of Access and its affiliates, have no obligation to offer us corporate opportunities.

The policies relating to corporate opportunities and transactions with Access and its affiliates to be set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, address potential conflicts of interest between the Company, on the one hand, and Access, its affiliates and its directors, officers, employees, stockholders, members or partners who are directors or officers of the Company, on the other hand. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that we, on our behalf and on behalf of our subsidiaries, renounce any interest or expectancy in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, corporate opportunities, that are from time to time presented to Access or any of its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, stockholders, members or partners, even if the opportunity is one that we or our subsidiaries might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so. None of Access, its affiliates or any of its directors, officers, employees, stockholders, members or partners will generally be liable to us or any of our subsidiaries for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a director or otherwise, by reason of the fact that such person pursues, acquires or participates in such corporate opportunity, directs such corporate opportunity to another person or fails to present such corporate opportunity, or information regarding such corporate opportunity, to us or our subsidiaries unless, in the case of any such person who is a director or officer, such corporate opportunity is expressly offered to such director or officer in writing solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer. To the fullest extent permitted by law, by becoming a stockholder in our company, stockholders will be deemed to have notice of and consented to this provision of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. Although these provisions are designed to resolve conflicts between us and Access and its affiliates fairly, conflicts may not be resolved in our favor or be resolved at all.

If Access sells a controlling interest in our company to a third party in a private transaction, you may not realize any change of control premium on shares of our Class A common stock and we may become subject to the control of a presently unknown third party.

Following the completion of this offering, Access will have the ability, should it choose to do so, to sell some or all of its shares of our common stock in a privately negotiated transaction. If such a transaction were to be sufficient in size, it could result in a change of control of the Company. The ability of Access to privately sell such shares of our common stock, with no requirement for a concurrent offer to be made to acquire all of the shares of our Class A common stock that will be publicly traded hereafter, could prevent you from realizing any change of control premium on your shares of our Class A common stock that may otherwise accrue to Access upon its private sale of our common stock. Additionally, if Access privately sells a significant equity interest in us, we may become subject to the control of a presently unknown third party. Such third party may have conflicts of interest with the interests of other stockholders.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock and This Offering

The dual class structure of our common stock and the existing ownership of Class B common stock by Access have the effect of concentrating voting control with Access for the foreseeable future, which will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters.

Our Class A common stock, which is the stock being offered in this offering, has one vote per share, and our Class B common stock has 20 votes per share. Given the greater number of votes per share attributed to our Class B common stock, Access, who is our only Class B stockholder, will hold approximately % of total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock following the completion of this offering. As a result of our dual class ownership structure, Access will be able to exert a significant degree of influence or actual control over our management and affairs and over matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors, mergers or acquisitions, asset sales and other significant corporate transactions. Further, Access will own shares representing approximately % of the economic interest of our outstanding common stock following this offering and, together with our other executive officers, directors and their affiliates, will own shares representing approximately % of the economic interest and % of total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock following this offering. Because of the 20-to-1 voting ratio between the Class B common stock and Class A common stock, the holders of Class B common stock collectively will continue to control a majority of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock and therefore be able to control all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, so long as the outstanding shares of Class B common stock represent at least % of the total number of outstanding shares of common stock. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future. For example, Access will be able to control elections of directors, amendments of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, increases to the number of shares available for issuance under our equity incentive plans or adoption of new equity incentive plans and approval of any merger or sale of assets for the foreseeable future. This control may materially adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock.

Additionally, the holders of our Class B common stock may cause us to make strategic decisions or pursue acquisitions that could involve risks to you or may not be aligned with your interests. The holders of our Class B common stock will also be entitled to a separate vote in the event we seek to amend our certificate of incorporation.

The difference in the voting rights of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock may harm the value and liquidity of our Class A common stock.

The difference in the voting rights of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock could harm the value of our Class A common stock to the extent that any investor or potential future purchaser of our Class A common stock ascribes value to the right of holders of our Class B common stock to 20 votes per share of Class B common stock. The existence of two classes of common stock could also result in less liquidity for our Class A common stock than if there were only one class of our common stock.

Our dual class structure may depress the trading price of our Class A common stock.

Our dual class structure may result in a lower or more volatile market price of our Class A common stock or in adverse publicity or other adverse consequences. For example, certain index providers have announced restrictions on including companies with dual or multiple class share structures in certain of their indexes. S&P Dow Jones and FTSE Russell have announced changes to their eligibility criteria for inclusion of shares of public companies on certain indices, including the S&P 500. These changes exclude companies with multiple classes of shares of common stock from being added to these indices. In addition, several stockholder advisory firms have announced their opposition to the use of dual or multiple class structures. As a result, the dual class structure of our common stock may prevent the inclusion of our Class A common stock in these indices and may cause stockholder advisory firms to publish negative commentary about our corporate governance practices or otherwise seek to cause us to change our capital structure. Any such exclusion from indices could result in a less

active trading market for our Class A common stock. Any actions or publications by stockholder advisory firms critical of our corporate governance practices or capital structure could also adversely affect the value of our Class A common stock.

Future sales of shares by existing stockholders could cause our stock price to decline.

Sales of substantial amounts of our Class A common stock in the public market following this offering, or the perception that these sales could occur, could cause the market price of our Class A common stock to decline. These sales, or the possibility that these sales may occur, also might make it more difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future at a time and at a price that we deem appropriate.

Based on shares outstanding as of , 2019, upon the completion of this offering, we will have outstanding shares of Class A common stock and outstanding shares of Class B common stock. All of the shares sold pursuant to this offering will be immediately tradable without restriction under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the “Securities Act,” except for any shares held by “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or “Rule 144.”

The remaining shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding as of , 2019 will be restricted securities within the meaning of Rule 144, but will be eligible for resale subject, in certain cases, to applicable volume, manner of sale, holding period and other limitations of Rule 144 or pursuant to an exception from registration under Rule 701 under the Securities Act, or “Rule 701,” subject to the terms of the lock-up agreements described below.

Upon the completion of this offering, we intend to file one or more registration statements on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register the shares of Class A common stock to be issued under our equity compensation plans, including the Plan, and, as a result, all shares of Class A common stock acquired upon exercise of stock options granted under our plans will also be freely tradable under the Securities Act, subject to the terms of the lock-up agreements, unless purchased by our affiliates. In addition, shares of our Class A common stock are reserved for future issuances under the equity incentive plan adopted in connection with this offering.

In connection with this offering, we, the selling stockholders, all of our directors and executive officers and the holders of all of our outstanding stock (and any Charity to the extent it does not sell in this offering all of the shares of Class A common stock contributed to it) have entered into lock-up agreements under which, subject to certain exceptions, we and they have agreed not to sell, transfer or dispose of or hedge, directly or indirectly, any shares of our Class A common stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our Class A common stock for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus, except with the prior written consent of . Following the expiration of this 180-day lock-up period, approximately shares of our Class A common stock (assuming conversion of all shares of Class B common stock into shares of Class A common stock) will be eligible for future sale, subject to the applicable volume, manner of sale, holding period and other limitations of Rule 144 or pursuant to an exception from registration under Rule 701. As resale restrictions end, the market price of our Class A common stock could decline if Access sells its shares or is perceived by the market as intending to sell them. may, in their sole discretion and at any time, release all or any portion of the securities subject to lock-up agreements entered into in connection with this offering. Furthermore, subject to the expiration or waiver of the lock-up agreements, Access will have the right to require us to register shares of Class A common stock for resale in some circumstances pursuant to a registration rights agreement we will enter into with Access.

In the future, we may issue additional shares of Class A common stock, Class B common stock or other equity or debt securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our Class A common stock in connection with a financing, strategic investment, litigation settlement or employee arrangement or otherwise. Any of these issuances could result in substantial dilution to our existing stockholders and could cause the trading price of our Class A common stock to decline.

Our Class A common stock has no prior public market, and the market price of our Class A common stock may be volatile and could decline after this offering.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A common stock, and an active market for our Class A common stock may not develop or be sustained after this offering. We expect to apply to list our common stock on . We and the selling stockholders negotiated the initial public offering price per share with the representatives of the underwriters and, therefore, that price may not be indicative of the market price of our Class A common stock after this offering. We cannot assure you that an active public market for our Class A common stock will develop after this offering or, if one does develop, that it will be sustained. In the absence of an active public trading market, you may not be able to sell your shares. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital to continue to fund operations by selling shares and may impair our ability to make strategic investments by using our shares as consideration. In addition, the market price of our Class A common stock may fluctuate significantly. Among the factors that could affect our stock price are:

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industry or general market conditions;

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domestic and international economic factors unrelated to our performance;

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changes in our customers’ preferences;

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changes in law or regulation;

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lawsuits, enforcement actions and other claims by third parties or governmental authorities;

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adverse publicity related to us or another industry participant;

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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

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changes in securities analysts’ estimates of our financial performance or lack of research coverage and reports by industry analysts;

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action by institutional stockholders or other large stockholders (including Access), including future sales of our Class A common stock;

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failure to meet any guidance given by us or any change in any guidance given by us, or changes by us in our guidance practices;

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speculation in the press or investment community;

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investor perception of us and our industry;

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changes in market valuations or earnings of similar companies;

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announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, dispositions or strategic partnerships;

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war, terrorist acts and epidemic disease;

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any future sales of our Class A common stock or other securities;

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additions or departures of key personnel; and

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misconduct or other improper actions of our employees.

In particular, we cannot assure you that you will be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price. Stock markets have experienced extreme volatility in recent years that has been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our Class A common stock. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, class action litigation has often been instituted against the affected company. Any litigation of this type brought against us could result in substantial costs and a diversion of our management’s attention and resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business, consolidated results of operations, liquidity or financial condition.

Purchasers in this offering will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the book value of their investment.

The initial public offering price of our Class A common stock is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our Class A common stock outstanding prior to this offering. Therefore, if you purchase our Class A common stock in this offering, you will incur an immediate substantial dilution of $ in pro forma net tangible book value per share from the price you paid (calculated based on the assumed initial public offering price of $ per share, which represents the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover of this prospectus). For additional information about the dilution that you will experience immediately upon completion of this offering, see “Dilution.”

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish misleading or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price and trading volume could decline.

The trading market for our Class A common stock will depend in part on the research and reports that securities or industry analysts publish about us or our business. We do not currently have, and may never obtain, research coverage for our Class A common stock. If there is no research coverage of our Class A common stock, the trading price for our common stock may be negatively impacted. In the event we obtain research coverage for our Class A common stock, if one or more of the analysts downgrades our stock or publishes misleading or unfavorable research about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of the analysts ceases coverage of our Class A common stock or fails to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our Class A common stock could decrease, which could cause our Class A common stock price or trading volume to decline.

Future offerings of debt or equity securities which would rank senior to our common stock may adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock.

If, in the future, we decide to issue debt or equity securities that rank senior to our Class A common stock, it is likely that such securities will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our Class A common stock and may result in dilution to owners of our Class A common stock. We and, indirectly, our stockholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, holders of our Class A common stock will bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our Class A common stock and diluting the value of their stock holdings in us.

Anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws and Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company and may affect the trading price of our Class A common stock.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated by-laws include a number of provisions that may discourage, delay or prevent a change in our management or control over us that stockholders may consider favorable. For example, prior to the consummation of this offering, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws will collectively:

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authorize two classes of common stock with disparate voting power, the Class A common stock that will be offered and sold pursuant to this prospectus and the Class B common stock that will provide the holders thereof with the ability to control the outcome of matters requiring stockholder approval, even if such holders own significantly less than a majority of the shares of our outstanding common stock;

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permit different treatment of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock in a change of control transaction if approved by a majority of the voting power of our outstanding Class A common stock and a majority of the voting power of our outstanding Class B common stock, voting separately;

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authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that could be issued by our board of directors to thwart a takeover attempt;

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provide that vacancies on our Board, including vacancies resulting from an enlargement of our Board, may be filled only by a majority vote of directors then in office once Access ceases to beneficially own more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock;

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prohibit stockholders from calling special meetings of stockholders if Access ceases to beneficially own more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock;

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prohibit stockholder action by written consent, thereby requiring all actions to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders, if Access ceases to beneficially own more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock;

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establish advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election as directors or to bring other business before an annual meeting of our stockholders;

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require the approval of holders of at least 66²/₃% of the total combined voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock to amend our amended and restated by-laws and certain provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation if Access ceases to beneficially own more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock; and

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subject us to Section 203 of the DGCL, which limits the ability of stockholders holding shares representing more than 15% of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock from engaging in certain business combinations with us, once Access no longer owns at least % of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock.

These provisions may prevent our stockholders from receiving the benefit from any premium to the market price of our Class A common stock offered by a bidder in a takeover context. Even in the absence of a takeover attempt, the existence of these provisions may adversely affect the prevailing market price of our Class A common stock if the provisions are viewed as discouraging takeover attempts in the future.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws may also make it difficult for stockholders to replace or remove our management. Furthermore, the existence of the foregoing provisions, as well as the significant amount of common stock that Access will own and voting power that Access will hold following this offering, could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our Class A common stock. These provisions may facilitate management and board entrenchment that may delay, deter, render more difficult or prevent a change in our control, which may not be in the best interests of our stockholders.

We will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of rules and, as a result, we will qualify for, and intend to rely on, exemptions from certain corporate governance requirements. You will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to such requirements.

After the consummation of this offering, Access will hold approximately % of the total combined voting power of our outstanding common stock (or approximately % if the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares from the selling stockholders). Accordingly, we will qualify as a “controlled company” within the meaning of corporate governance standards. Under rules, a company

of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance standards, including:

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the requirement that a majority of the members of our board of directors be independent directors;

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the requirement that our nominating and corporate governance committee be composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities;

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the requirement that we have a compensation committee that is composed entirely of independent directors with a written charter addressing the committee’s purpose and responsibilities; and

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the requirement for an annual performance evaluation of the nominating and corporate governance and compensation committees.

Following this offering, we intend to use these exemptions. As a result, we will not have a majority of independent directors, our compensation and our nominating and corporate governance committees will not consist entirely of independent directors and such committees may not be subject to annual performance evaluations. Additionally, we are only required to have all independent audit committee members within one year from the date of listing. Consequently, you will not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of corporate governance rules and requirements. Our status as a controlled company could make our Class A common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will include provisions limiting the personal liability of our directors for breaches of fiduciary duty under the DGCL.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will contain provisions permitted under the action asserting a claim arising under the DGCL relating to the liability of directors. These provisions will eliminate a director’s personal liability to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL for monetary damages resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty, except in circumstances involving:

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any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty;

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acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law;

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Section 174 of the DGCL (unlawful dividends); or

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any transaction from which the director derives an improper personal benefit.

The principal effect of the limitation on liability provision is that a stockholder will be unable to prosecute an action for monetary damages against a director unless the stockholder can demonstrate a basis for liability for which indemnification is not available under the DGCL. These provisions, however, should not limit or eliminate our rights or any stockholder’s rights to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director’s fiduciary duty. These provisions will not alter a director’s liability under federal securities laws. The inclusion of this provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may discourage or deter stockholders or management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for a breach of their fiduciary duties, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have benefited us and our stockholders.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain litigation that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or stockholders.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our

behalf, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed to us or our stockholders by any of our directors, officers, other employees, agents or stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising out of or under the DGCL, or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (including, without limitation, any action asserting a claim arising out of or pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated by-laws) or (iv) any action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in each case subject to such Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. However, claims subject to exclusive jurisdiction in the federal courts, such as suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, or the rules and regulations thereunder, need not be brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware. By becoming a stockholder in our company, you will be deemed to have notice of and have consented to the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation related to choice of forum. The choice of forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation may limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or any of our directors, officers, other employees, agents or stockholders, which may discourage lawsuits with respect to such claims. Additionally, a court could determine that the exclusive forum provision is unenforceable, and our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. If a court were to find these provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements and cautionary statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “shall,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “seeks,” “aims,” “projects,” “is optimistic,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or other comparable terms or the negative thereof. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this prospectus and include, without limitation, our ability to compete in the highly competitive markets in which we operate, statements regarding our ability to develop talent and attract future talent, our ability to reduce future capital expenditures, our ability to monetize our music, including through new distribution channels and formats to capitalize on the growth areas of the music entertainment industry, our ability to effectively deploy our capital, the development of digital music and the effect of digital distribution channels on our business, including whether we will be able to achieve higher margins from digital sales, the success of strategic actions we are taking to accelerate our transformation as we redefine our role in the music entertainment industry, the effectiveness of our ongoing efforts to reduce overhead expenditures and manage our variable and fixed cost structure and our ability to generate expected cost savings from such efforts, our success in limiting piracy, the growth of the music entertainment industry and the effect of our and the industry’s efforts to combat piracy on the industry, our intention to pay dividends or repurchase or retire our outstanding debt or notes in open market purchases, privately or otherwise, the impact on us of potential strategic transactions, our ability to fund our future capital needs and the effect of litigation on us.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond our control. We caution you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes and that actual performance and outcomes, including, without limitation, our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the market in which we operate, may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows, and the development of the market in which we operate, are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods. New factors emerge from time to time that may cause our business not to develop as we expect, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. Factors that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ from those reflected in forward-looking statements include, without limitation:

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our ability to identify, sign and retain recording artists and songwriters and the existence or absence of superstar releases;

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our inability to compete successfully in the highly competitive markets in which we operate;

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the popular demand for particular recording artists and/or songwriters and music and the timely delivery to us of music by major recording artists and/or songwriters;

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the diversity and quality of our recording artists, songwriters and releases;

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slower growth in streaming adoption and revenue;

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trends, developments or other events in some foreign countries in which we operate;

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risks associated with our non-U.S. operations, including limited legal protections of our intellectual property rights and restrictions on the repatriation of capital;

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unfavorable currency exchange rate fluctuations;

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the impact of heightened and intensive competition in the recorded music and music publishing industries and our inability to execute our business strategy;

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significant fluctuations in our operations, cash flows and the trading price of our common stock from period to period;

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our failure to attract and retain our executive officers and other key personnel;

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a significant portion of our revenues are subject to rate regulation either by government entities or by local third-party collecting societies throughout the world and rates on other income streams may be set by governmental proceedings, which may limit our profitability;

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risks associated with obtaining, maintaining, protecting and enforcing our intellectual property rights;

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our involvement in intellectual property litigation;

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threats to our business associated with digital piracy, including organized industrial piracy;

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an impairment in the carrying value of goodwill or other intangible and long-lived assets;

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our failure to have full control and ability to direct the operations we conduct through joint ventures;

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the impact of, and risks inherent in, acquisitions or other business combinations;

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risks inherent to our outsourcing certain finance and accounting functions;

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the fact that we have engaged in substantial restructuring activities in the past, and may need to implement further restructurings in the future and our restructuring efforts may not be successful or generate expected cost savings;

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our ability to maintain the security of information relating to our customers, employees and vendors and our music;

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risks related to evolving laws and regulations concerning data privacy which might result in increased regulation and different industry standards;

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legislation limiting the terms by which an individual can be bound under a “personal services” contract;

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a potential loss of catalog if it is determined that recording artists have a right to recapture U.S. rights in their recordings under the U.S. Copyright Act;

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potential employment and withholding liabilities if our recording artists and songwriters are characterized as employees;

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any delays and difficulties in satisfying obligations incident to being a public company;

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the impact of our substantial leverage on our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, on our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and on our ability to meet our obligations under our indebtedness;

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the ability to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness, and the risk that we may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful;

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the fact that our debt agreements contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business;

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the significant amount of cash required to service our indebtedness and the ability to generate cash or refinance indebtedness as it becomes due depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control;

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our indebtedness levels, and the fact that we may be able to incur substantially more indebtedness, which may increase the risks created by our substantial indebtedness;

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risks of downgrade, suspension or withdrawal of the rating assigned by a rating agency to us could impact our cost of capital;

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the dual class structure of our common stock and Access’s existing ownership of our Class B common stock have the effect of concentrating over our management and affairs and over matters requiring stockholder approval with Access; and

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risks related to other factors discussed under “Risk Factors” of this prospects.

You should read this prospectus completely and with the understanding that actual future results may be materially different from expectations. All forward-looking statements made in this prospectus are qualified by these cautionary statements. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this prospectus, and we do not undertake any obligation, other than as may be required by law, to update or revise any forward-looking or cautionary statements to reflect changes in assumptions, the occurrence of events, unanticipated or otherwise, and changes in future operating results over time or otherwise.

Other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors,” could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements we make. Readers should read carefully the factors described in “Risk Factors” to better understand the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business and underlying any forward-looking statements.

USE OF PROCEEDS

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock by the selling stockholders in this offering (including any proceeds from the sale of shares of Class A common stock that such selling stockholders may sell pursuant to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Class A common stock). The selling stockholders will receive all of the proceeds from the sale of shares of our Class A common stock by such selling stockholders.

DIVIDEND POLICY

Dividend Policy

The Company intends to institute a regular quarterly dividend to holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock whereby we intend to pay quarterly cash dividends of $ per share. We expect to pay the first dividend under this policy in . The declaration of each dividend will continue to be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our financial condition, earnings, liquidity and capital requirements, level of indebtedness, contractual restrictions with respect to payment of dividends, restrictions imposed by Delaware law, general business conditions and any other factors that our board of directors deems relevant in making such a determination. Therefore, there can be no assurance that we will pay any dividends to holders of our common stock, or as to the amount of any such dividends.

WMG is a holding company for all of our operations and is a legal entity separate from its subsidiaries. All of WMG’s business operations are conducted through our subsidiaries. Dividends and other distributions from WMG’s subsidiaries are the principal sources of funds available to WMG to pay corporate operating expenses, to pay stockholder dividends, to repurchase stock and to meet its other obligations. The agreements to which our subsidiaries are party, including the Secured Notes Indenture, the Senior Notes Indenture, the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement, each contain certain provisions that restrict the payment of dividends, subject to certain exceptions. Generally, the Secured Notes Indenture, the Senior Notes Indenture, the Revolving Credit Facility and the Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement permit our subsidiaries to pay dividends and make certain other restricted payments (i) only if, at the time of the restricted payment and after giving pro form effect thereto, Acquisition Corp. would have been able to incur at least $1.00 of additional indebtedness and remain in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio of 2.00 to 1.00 and (ii) from a cumulative basket equal to 50% of Acquisition Corp.’s net income from the beginning of the 2013 fiscal year, subject to certain other limitations and basket exceptions. We believe that these agreements will permit our subsidiaries to distribute funds to us in an amount sufficient to permit us to pay our currently intended dividends. For more details, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition and Liquidity—Liquidity” and “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Leverage—As a holding company, WMG depends on the ability of its subsidiaries to transfer funds to it to meet its obligations.”

Delaware law requires that dividends be paid only out of “surplus,” which is defined as the fair market value of our net assets, minus our stated capital; or out of the current or the immediately preceding year’s earnings.

On December 16, 2019, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $37.5 million which was paid to stockholders on January 17, 2020. On September 23, 2019, the Company’s board of directors declared a cash dividend of $206.25 million which was paid to stockholders on October 4, 2019. For fiscal year 2019, the Company paid an aggregate of $93.75 million in cash dividends to stockholders. For fiscal year 2018, the Company paid an aggregate of $925 million in cash dividends to stockholders, which reflected proceeds from the sale of Spotify shares acquired in the ordinary course of business. For fiscal year 2017, the Company paid an aggregate of $84 million in cash dividends to stockholders. For a discussion of our dividend history see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Financial Condition and Liquidity—Dividends.”

CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash and cash equivalents and capitalization on a consolidated basis and on a pro forma basis as of December 31, 2019 to reflect:

•

the amendment and restatement of our certificate of incorporation in connection with this offering;

•

the -for- split of our Class B common stock; and

•

the payment of a regular quarterly dividend of $37.5 million to our existing stockholders on January 17, 2020, as well as the payment of certain costs, fees and expenses in connection with this offering.

The selling stockholders are selling all of the shares of Class A common stock in this offering. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares of Class A common stock by the selling stockholders, including any proceeds from the sale of shares of Class A common stock that such selling stockholders may sell pursuant to the underwriters’ option to purchase additional Class A common stock.

You should read this table in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our annual and interim financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.


	Actual			Pro Forma
	As of December 31, 2019			As of December 31, 2019
	(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents	$	462		$

Debt (a)
Revolving Credit Facility (b)		—
Senior Term Loan Facility due 2023 (c)		1,314
5.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2023 (d)		298
4.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (e)		342
4.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (f)		218
3.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (g)		495
5.500% Senior Notes due 2026 (h)		321
Total debt (i)	$	2,988		$

Equity
Class A common stock, $ par value per share; (i) Actual: shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding and (ii) Pro Forma: shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding		—
Class B common stock, $ par value per share; (i) Actual: shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding and (ii) Pro Forma: shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding		—
Additional paid-in capital		1,128
Accumulated deficit		(1,088	)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net		(230	)

Total Warner Music Group Corp. deficit	$	(190	)	$

Noncontrolling interest		21

Total equity	$	(169	)	$

Total capitalization	$	2,819		$

(a)	Acquisition Corp. is the borrower or issuer of all of the Company’s long-term debt.

(b)	Reflects $180 million of commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility, less letters of credit outstanding of approximately $13 million at December 31, 2019. There were no loans outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at December 31, 2019.

(c)	Principal amount of $1.326 billion at December 31, 2019 less unamortized discount of $3 million and unamortized deferred financing costs of $9 million at December 31, 2019.

(d)	Principal amount of $300 million less unamortized deferred financing costs of $2 million at December 31, 2019.

(e)	Face amount of €311 million at December 31, 2019. Above amounts represent the dollar equivalent of such note at December 31, 2019. Principal amount of $345 million less unamortized deferred financing costs of $3 million at December 31, 2019.

(f)	Principal amount of $220 million less unamortized deferred financing costs of $2 million at December 31, 2019.

(g)

Face amount of €445 million at December 31, 2019. Above amounts represent the dollar equivalent of such note at December 31, 2019. Principal amount of $494 million at December 31, 2019 an additional issuance premium of $8 million, less unamortized deferred financing costs of $7 million at December 31, 2019.

(h)	Principal amount of $325 million less unamortized deferred financing costs of $4 million at December 31, 2019.

(i)	Principal amount of debt of $3.010 billion, an additional issuance premium of $8 million, less unamortized discount of $3 million and unamortized deferred financing costs of $27 million at December 31, 2019.

DILUTION

If you invest in our Class A common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of our Class A common stock and the net tangible book value per share of our Class A common stock. Net tangible book value dilution per share to new investors means that the per share offering price of the Class A common stock exceeds the book value per share attributable to the shares of Class A common stock held by existing stockholders.

Our net tangible book value (deficit) as of , 2020 was $ . Net tangible book value per share before the offering has been determined by dividing net tangible book value (total book value of tangible assets less total liabilities) by the number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of , 2020.

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of our Class A common stock offered by the selling stockholders in this offering. Consequently, this offering will not result in any change to our net tangible book value per share, prior to giving effect to the payment of estimated fees and expenses in connection with this offering. Purchasing shares of common stock in this offering will result in net tangible book value dilution to new investors of $ per share. The following table illustrates this per share dilution to new investors:


		Per Share
Assumed initial public offering price per share		$
Net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of , 2020		$
Dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to new investors		$

The following table summarizes the total consideration paid and the average price paid per share by existing Class A and Class B stockholders and investors purchasing Class A common stock in this offering. This information is presented on pro forma as adjusted basis as of , 2020, after giving effect to the sale of shares of Class A common stock in this offering at an assumed public offering price of $ per share (the midpoint of the range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus):

Shares Purchased

Total Consideration

Average Price
Per Share

Number

Percent

Amount

Percent

Existing stockholders (1)

New investors

Total

(1)	Does not give effect to the sale of shares by the selling stockholders in this offering.

After giving effect to the sale of shares of Class A common stock in this offering, new investors will hold shares, or % of the total number of shares of common stock after this offering and existing stockholders will hold % of the total shares of common stock outstanding. If the underwriters exercise in full their option to purchase additional shares, the number of shares of Class A common stock held by new investors will increase to , or % of the total number of shares of common stock after this offering, and the percentage of shares held by existing stockholders will decrease to % of the total shares of common stock outstanding.

In addition, we may choose to raise capital due to market conditions or strategic considerations even if we believe we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. To the extent that capital is raised through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of such securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

The information discussed above is illustrative only and will adjust based on the actual public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing. The number of shares of our Class A common stock outstanding immediately following this offering is based on shares of our Class A common stock outstanding as of , 2020. This number excludes shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance under equity incentive plans.

SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data have been derived from the Company’s audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements. The financial data for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, and as of September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 have been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The financial data for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, and as of December 31, 2019 have been derived from the Company’s unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. The financial data for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, and as of September 30, 2017, September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 have been derived from audited financial statements not included in this prospectus. The financial data as of December 31, 2018 have been derived from unaudited financial statements not included in this prospectus. This selected financial data should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the annual and interim financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Historical results are not indicative of future operating results and results from interim periods are not indicative of full year results. The following consolidated statement of operations and consolidated balance sheet data have been prepared in conformity with U.S. GAAP.


	Three Months Ended December 31,						Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(in millions)	2019			2018			2019			2018			2017			2016			2015
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues	$	1,256		$	1,203		$	4,475		$	4,005		$	3,576		$	3,246		$	2,966
Interest expense, net		(33	)		(36	)		(142	)		(138	)		(149	)		(173	)		(181	)
Net income (loss)		122			86			258			312			149			30			(88	)
Less: Income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		(2	)		—			(2	)		(5	)		(6	)		(5	)		(3	)
Net income (loss) attributable to the Company.		120			86			256			307			143			25			(91	)
Balance Sheet Data (at period end):
Cash and equivalents	$	462		$	548		$	619		$	514		$	647		$	359		$	246
Total assets		6,314			5,946			6,017			5,344			5,718			5,335			5,574
Total debt (including current portion of long-term debt)		2,988			2,998			2,974			2,819			2,811			2,778			2,947
Total equity		(169	)		(139	)		(269	)		(320	)		308			210			239
Cash Flow Data:
Cash flows provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	78		$	92		$	400		$	425		$	535		$	342		$	222
Investing activities		(32	)		(238	)		(376	)		405			(126	)		(8	)		(95	)
Financing activities		(207	)		182			88			(955	)		(128	)		(216	)		(19	)
Depreciation & amortization		71			68			269			261			251			293			309
Capital expenditures		(15	)		(26	)		(104	)		(74	)		(44	)		(42	)		(63	)


	Three Months Ended December 31,				Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
(in millions, except share and per share amounts)	2019		2018		2019		2018		2017		2016		2015
Earnings/(Loss) Per Share:
Earnings/(Loss) per share—common stock
Basic and Diluted	$	114,107	$	81,443	$	243,129	$	291,626	$	136,080	$	23,234	$	(87,008	)
Dividends Per Share:
Dividends per share—common stock
Basic and Diluted
Weighted average common shares outstanding		1,052		1,052		1,052		1,053		1,055		1,055		1,055

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with “Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data,” “Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information” and our annual and interim financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. In addition to historical data, this discussion contains forward-looking statements about our business, operations and financial performance based on current expectations that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Actual results may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Factors that could or do contribute to these differences include those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this prospectus, particularly under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information.”

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

We are one of the world’s leading music entertainment companies. Our renowned family of iconic record labels, including Atlantic Records, Warner Records, Elektra Records and Parlophone Records, is home to many of the most popular and influential recording artists. In addition, Warner Chappell Music, our global music publishing business, boasts an extraordinary catalog that includes timeless standards and contemporary hits, representing works by over 80,000 songwriters and composers, with a global collection of more than 1.4 million musical compositions. We classify our business interests into two fundamental operations: Recorded Music and Music Publishing. A brief description of each of those operations is presented below.

Components of Our Operating Results

Recorded Music Operations

Our Recorded Music business primarily consists of the discovery and development of recording artists and the related marketing, promotion, distribution, sale and licensing of music created by such recording artists. We play an integral role in virtually all aspects of the recorded music value chain from discovering and developing talent to producing, distributing and selling music to marketing and promoting recording artists and their music.

In the United States, our Recorded Music business is conducted principally through our major record labels—Atlantic Records and Warner Records. In October 2018, we launched Elektra Music Group in the United States as a standalone label group, which comprises the Elektra, Fueled by Ramen and Roadrunner labels. Our Recorded Music business also includes Rhino Entertainment, a division that specializes in marketing our recorded music catalog through compilations, reissuances of previously released music and video titles and releasing previously unreleased material from our vault. We also conduct our Recorded Music business through a collection of additional record labels including Asylum, Big Beat, Canvasback, East West, Erato, FFRR, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Sire, Spinnin’, Warner Classics and Warner Music Nashville.

Outside the United States, our Recorded Music business is conducted through various subsidiaries, affiliates and non-affiliated licensees. Internationally, we engage in the same activities as in the United States: discovering and signing artists and distributing, selling, marketing and promoting their music. In most cases, we also market, promote, distribute and sell the music of those recording artists for whom our domestic record labels have international rights. In certain smaller markets, we license the right to distribute and sell our music to non-affiliated third-party record labels.

Our Recorded Music business’ distribution operations include Warner-Elektra-Atlantic Corporation (“WEA Corp.”), which markets, distributes and sells music and video products to retailers and wholesale distributors; Alternative Distribution Alliance (“ADA”), which markets, distributes and sells the products of independent labels to retail and wholesale distributors; and various distribution centers and ventures operated internationally.

In addition to our music being sold in physical retail outlets, our music is also sold in physical form to online physical retailers, such as amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com and bestbuy.com, and distributed in digital form to an expanded universe of digital partners, including streaming services such as those of Amazon, Apple, Deezer, SoundCloud, Spotify, Tencent Music Entertainment Group and YouTube, radio services such as iHeart Radio and SiriusXM and download services such as Apple’s iTunes and Google Play.

We have integrated the marketing of digital content into all aspects of our business, including A&R and distribution. Our business development executives work closely with A&R departments to ensure that while music is being produced, digital assets are also created with all distribution channels in mind, including streaming services, social networking sites, online portals and music-centered destinations. We also work side-by-side with our online and mobile partners to test new concepts. We believe existing and new digital businesses will be a significant source of growth and will provide new opportunities to successfully monetize our assets and create new revenue streams. The proportion of digital revenues attributable to each distribution channel varies by region and proportions may change as the introduction of new technologies continues. As one of the world’s largest music entertainment companies, we believe we are well positioned to take advantage of growth in digital distribution and emerging technologies to maximize the value of our assets.

We have diversified our revenues beyond our traditional businesses by entering into expanded-rights deals with recording artists in order to partner with such artists in other aspects of their careers. Under these agreements, we provide services to and participate in recording artists’ activities outside the traditional recorded music business such as touring, merchandising and sponsorships. We have built and acquired artist services capabilities and platforms for marketing and distributing this broader set of music-related rights and participating more widely in the monetization of the artist brands we help create. We believe that entering into expanded-rights deals and enhancing our artist services capabilities in areas such as merchandising, VIP ticketing, fan clubs, concert promotion and management has permitted us to diversify revenue streams and capitalize on other revenue opportunities. This provides for improved long-term relationships with our recording artists and allows us to more effectively connect recording artists and fans.

Recorded Music revenues are derived from four main sources:

•

Digital: the rightsholder receives revenues with respect to streaming and download services;

•

Physical: the rightsholder receives revenues with respect to sales of physical products such as vinyl, CDs and DVDs;

•

Artist services and expanded-rights: the rightsholder receives revenues with respect to our artist services businesses and our participation in expanded rights associated with our recording artists, including sponsorship, fan clubs, artist websites, merchandising, touring, concert promotion, ticketing and artist and brand management; and

•

Licensing: the rightsholder receives royalties or fees for the right to use sound recordings in combination with visual images such as in films or television programs, television commercials and video games; the rightsholder also receives royalties if sound recordings are performed publicly through broadcast of music on television, radio and cable, and in public spaces such as shops, workplaces, restaurants, bars and clubs.

The principal costs associated with our Recorded Music business are as follows:

•

A&R costs: the costs associated with (i) paying royalties to recording artists, producers, songwriters, other copyright holders and trade unions; (ii) signing and developing recording artists; and (iii) creating master recordings in the studio;

•

Product costs: the costs to manufacture, package and distribute products to wholesale and retail distribution outlets, the royalty costs associated with distributing products of independent labels to wholesale and retail distribution outlets, as well as the costs related to our artist services business;

•

Selling and marketing expenses: the costs associated with the promotion and marketing of recording artists and music, including costs to produce music videos for promotional purposes and artist tour support; and

•

General and administrative expenses: the costs associated with general overhead and other administrative expenses.

Music Publishing Operations

While Recorded Music is focused on marketing, promoting, distributing and licensing a particular recording of a musical composition, Music Publishing is an intellectual property business focused on generating revenue from uses of the musical composition itself. In return for promoting, placing, marketing and administering the creative output of a songwriter, or engaging in those activities for other rightsholders, our Music Publishing business garners a share of the revenues generated from use of the musical compositions.

The operations of our Music Publishing business are conducted principally through Warner Chappell Music, our global music publishing company headquartered in Los Angeles, and through various subsidiaries, affiliates and non-affiliated sub-publishers. We own or control rights to more than 1.4 million musical compositions, including numerous pop hits, American standards, folk songs and motion picture and theatrical compositions. Assembled over decades, our award-winning catalog includes over 80,000 songwriters and composers and a diverse range of genres including pop, rock, jazz, classical, country, R&B, hip-hop, rap, reggae, Latin, folk, blues, symphonic, soul, Broadway, techno, alternative and gospel. Warner Chappell Music also administers the music and soundtracks of several third-party television and film producers and studios. We have an extensive production music catalog collectively branded as Warner Chappell Production Music.

Music Publishing revenues are derived from five main sources:

•

Performance: the rightsholder receives revenues if the musical composition is performed publicly through broadcast of music on television, radio and cable, live performance at a concert or other venue (e.g., arena concerts and nightclubs) and performance of music in staged theatrical productions;

•

Digital: the rightsholder receives revenues with respect to musical compositions embodied in recordings distributed in streaming services, download services and other digital music services;

•

Mechanical: the rightsholder receives revenues with respect to musical compositions embodied in recordings sold in any physical format or configuration such as vinyl, CDs and DVDs;

•

Synchronization: the rightsholder receives revenues for the right to use the musical composition in combination with visual images such as in films or television programs, television commercials and video games as well as from other uses such as in toys or novelty items and merchandise; and

•

Other: the rightsholder receives revenues for use in sheet music and other uses.

The principal costs associated with our Music Publishing business are as follows:

•

A&R costs: the costs associated with (i) paying royalties to songwriters, co-publishers and other copyright holders in connection with income generated from the uses of their works and (ii) signing and developing songwriters; and

•

Selling and marketing, general overhead and other administrative expenses: the costs associated with selling and marketing, general overhead and other administrative expenses.

Factors Affecting Results of Operations and Comparability

Acquisition of EMP

On October 10, 2018, we acquired E.M.P. Merchandising Handelsgesellschaft mbH, a limited liability company under the laws of Germany, and its subsidiaries, all of the share capital of MIG Merchandising

Investment GmbH, a limited liability company under the laws of Germany, and its subsidiaries, and certain shares of Large Popmarchandising BVBA, a limited liability company under the laws of Belgium (together, “EMP”). EMP is a specialty retailer of merchandise for many popular artists along with other forms of entertainment such as movies and television.

Adoption of New Revenue Recognition Standard

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance codified in ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”), which replaces the guidance in former ASC 605, Revenue Recognition and ASC 928-605, Entertainment—Music. The adoption of ASC 606 resulted in a change in the timing of revenue recognition in our Music Publishing business as well as international broadcast rights within our Recorded Music business. Under the new revenue recognition rules, revenue is recorded based on best estimates available in the period of sale or usage whereas revenue was previously recorded when cash was received for both the licensing of music publishing rights and international recorded music broadcast fees. Additionally, for certain licenses where the consideration is fixed and the intellectual property being licensed is static, revenue is recognized at the point in time when control of the licensed content is transferred to the customer. See “Critical Accounting Policies.”

Acquisition of Spinnin’ Records

On September 7, 2017, we acquired Spinnin’ Records, one of the world’s most successful and important dance and electronic music companies. Based in the Netherlands, over the past two decades the label signed and nurtured a fantastic roster of pioneering recording artists and built prominent music publishing and artist management businesses.

Sale of Non-Core Assets

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, we completed the divestiture of certain assets related to the acquisition in July 2013 (the “PLG Acquisition”) of PLG. The cash received for these sales was $73 million. The net gain recognized for these sales was $6 million.

Other Business Models to Drive Incremental Revenue

Artist Services and Expanded-Rights Deals

As the recorded music industry has continued to transition to a business model through which the majority of revenues are generated from streaming, for many years we have signed recording artists to expanded-rights deals. Under our expanded-rights deals, in addition to participating in traditional recorded music revenue streams such as streaming, downloads and physical records, we also participate in the recording artist’s revenue streams in areas such as touring, merchandising and sponsorships. In addition to signing recording artists to expanded-rights deals, we have continued to make strategic investments to expand our Recorded Music business and open up new opportunities for our recording artists. Artist services and expanded-rights recorded music revenue, which includes revenue from expanded-rights deals as well as revenue from our artist services business, represented approximately 15%, 14%, 10% and 11% of our total revenues during the three months ended December 31, 2019 and the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. Artist services and expanded-rights revenue will fluctuate from period to period depending upon recording artists’ touring schedules, among other things. Margins for the various artist services and expanded-rights revenue streams can vary significantly as well. The overall impact on margins will, therefore, depend on the composition of the various revenue streams in any particular period. For instance, participation in revenue from touring under our expanded-rights deals typically flows straight through to operating income with little associated cost. Revenue from some of our artist services businesses such as management and revenue from participation in touring and sponsorships under our expanded-rights deals are all high margin, while revenue under our expanded-rights deals and revenue from some of our artist services businesses such as merchandising tend to be lower margin than our traditional revenue streams in our Recorded Music business.

Management Agreement

The Company and Holdings are party to a management agreement with Access (the “Management Agreement”), pursuant to which Access provides the Company and its subsidiaries with financial, investment banking, management, advisory and other services. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, the Company pays to Access an annual fee equal to the greater of (i) a base amount, which is the sum of (x) $6 million and (y) 1.5% of the aggregate amount of Acquired EBITDA (as defined in the Management Agreement) and was approximately $9 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, and (ii) 1.5% of the EBITDA (as defined in the indenture governing the redeemed WMG Holdings Corp. 13.75% Senior Notes due 2019) of the Company for the applicable fiscal year, plus expenses. The fee is paid quarterly based on the base amount, with a true-up payment in the fourth quarter for any excess of the annual fee above the base amount. The Company and Holdings agreed to indemnify Access and certain of its affiliates against all liabilities arising out of performance of the Management Agreement.

Such costs incurred by the Company were approximately $11 million, $16 million and $9 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. The fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 included the annual base fee of $9 million and an increase of $2 million calculated pursuant to the Management Agreement. The fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 included the annual base fee of $9 million and an increase of $7 million calculated pursuant to the Management Agreement.

Key Operating Measures

In addition to our results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we report on both a consolidated and segment basis OIBDA and revenue on a constant-currency basis, each of which is a measure that is not determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Management believes that the use of these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures, together with relevant U.S. GAAP measures, provides a better understanding of our results of operations and the underlying profitability drivers and trends of our business. These measures should be considered supplementary to our results that are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be viewed as a substitute for the U.S. GAAP measures. Other companies may use similarly titled non-U.S. GAAP financial measures that are calculated differently from the way we calculate such measures. Consequently, our non-U.S. GAAP financial measures may not be comparable to similar measures used by other companies.

OIBDA

We evaluate our operating performance based on several factors, including our primary financial measure of operating income (loss) before non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and non-cash amortization of intangible assets (“OIBDA”). We consider OIBDA to be an important indicator of the operational strengths and performance of our businesses. However, a limitation of the use of OIBDA as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in our businesses and other non-operating income (loss). Accordingly, OIBDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, our definition of OIBDA may differ from similarly titled measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of consolidated OIBDA to operating income (loss) and net income (loss) attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. is provided in “—Results of Operations.”

Constant Currency

As exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period to period comparisons, we believe the presentation of revenue on a constant-currency basis in addition to reported results helps improve the ability to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. Constant-currency information compares revenue between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period over period.

We use revenue on a constant-currency basis as one measure to evaluate our performance. We calculate constant currency by calculating prior-year revenue using current-year foreign currency exchange rates. We generally refer to such amounts calculated on a constant-currency basis as “excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates.” This revenue should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, revenue reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Revenue on a constant-currency basis, as we present it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not a measure of performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended December 31, 2019 Compared with Three Months Ended December 31, 2018

Consolidated Results

Revenues

The Company’s revenues were composed of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,						*2019 vs. 2018*
	2019			2018			$ Change			% Change
Revenue by Type
Digital	$	633		$	563		$	70			12	%
Physical		184			231			(47	)		-20	%

Total Digital and Physical		817			794			23			3	%
Artist services and expanded-rights		188			166			22			13	%
Licensing		79			81			(2	)		-2	%

Total Recorded Music		1,084			1,041			43			4	%
Performance		46			53			(7	)		-13	%
Digital		73			65			8			12	%
Mechanical		15			15			—			—	%
Synchronization		36			29			7			24	%
Other		3			3			—			—	%

Total Music Publishing		173			165			8			5	%
Intersegment eliminations		(1	)		(3	)		2			-67	%

Total Revenues	$	1,256		$	1,203		$	53			4	%

Revenue by Geographical Location
U.S. Recorded Music	$	453		$	431		$	22			5	%
U.S. Music Publishing		81			73			8			11	%

Total U.S.		534			504			30			6	%
International Recorded Music		631			610			21			3	%
International Music Publishing		92			92			—			—	%

Total International		723			702			21			3	%
Intersegment eliminations		(1	)		(3	)		2			-67	%

Total Revenues	$	1,256		$	1,203		$	53			4	%

Total Revenues

Total revenues increased by $53 million, or 4%, to $1,256 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $1,203 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The increase includes $12 million of

unfavorable currency exchange fluctuations. Prior to intersegment eliminations, Recorded Music and Music Publishing revenues represented 86% and 14% of total revenue for both the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Prior to intersegment eliminations, U.S. and international revenues represented 42% and 58% of total revenues for both the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Total digital revenues after intersegment eliminations increased by $79 million, or 13%, to $706 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $627 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Total digital revenues represented 56% and 52% of consolidated revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Prior to intersegment eliminations, total digital revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2019 were comprised of U.S. revenues of $380 million and international revenues of $326 million, or 54% and 46% of total digital revenues, respectively. Prior to intersegment eliminations, total digital revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2018 were comprised of U.S. revenues of $330 million and international revenues of $298 million, or 53% and 47% of total digital revenues, respectively.

Recorded Music revenues increased by $43 million, or 4%, to $1,084 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $1,041 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The increase includes $10 million of unfavorable currency exchange fluctuations. U.S. Recorded Music revenues were $453 million and $431 million, or 42% and 41%, of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. International Recorded Music revenues were $631 million and $610 million, or 58% and 59%, of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

The overall increase in Recorded Music revenue was driven by increases in digital revenue and artist services and expanded-rights revenue partially offset by decreases in physical and licensing revenue. Digital revenue increased by $70 million as a result of the continued growth in streaming services and strength of releases, which includes new releases from TWICE and Coldplay as well as carryover success from Ed Sheeran and Lizzo. Revenue from streaming services grew by $87 million to $589 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $502 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Digital revenue growth was partially offset by decreases in digital download and other digital declines of $17 million to $44 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $61 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 due to the continued shift to streaming services. Artist services and expanded-rights revenue increased by $22 million primarily due to higher advertising revenues and timing of tours in France. Physical revenue decreased by $47 million primarily due to the continued shift from physical revenue to digital revenue, timing of releases and prior year success of Johnny Hallyday. Licensing revenue decreased by $2 million primarily related to unfavorable foreign exchange rates and higher broadcast fees in the prior year.

Music Publishing revenues increased by $8 million, or 5%, to $173 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $165 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. U.S. Music Publishing revenues were $81 million and $73 million, or 47% and 44%, of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. International Music Publishing revenues remained flat at $92 million, or 53% and 56%, of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

The overall increase in Music Publishing revenue was mainly driven by increases in digital revenue of $8 million and synchronization revenue of $7 million, partially offset by decreases in performance revenue of $7 million. The increase in digital revenue is primarily due to increases in streaming revenue driven by the continued growth in streaming services. The increase in synchronization revenue is attributable to higher TV and commercial income. The decline in performance revenue is driven by timing of distributions.

Revenue by Geographical Location

U.S. revenue increased by $30 million, or 6%, to $534 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $504 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. U.S. Recorded Music revenue increased by $22 million, or 5%. The primary driver was the increase in U.S. Recorded Music digital revenue, which increased by $43 million driven by the continued growth in streaming services. Streaming revenue increased by $53 million, partially offset by $10 million of digital download and other digital declines. Partially offsetting this increase is a decrease of U.S. Recorded Music physical revenue for $25 million driven by general market decline and timing of releases. U.S. Music Publishing revenue increased by $8 million, or 11%, to $81 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $73 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. This was primarily driven by the increase in U.S. Music Publishing of $7 million in digital revenue due to the continued growth in streaming services and the increase in synchronization revenue of $3 million due to higher TV and commercial income, partially offset by decreases in performance revenue of $2 million due to timing of distributions.

International revenue increased by $21 million, or 3%, to $723 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $702 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, International revenue increased by $33 million or 5%. International Recorded Music revenue increased $21 million primarily due to increases in digital revenue of $27 million, artist services and expanded-rights revenue of $24 million, partially offset by decreases in physical revenue of $22 million and licensing revenue of $8 million. The increase in International Recorded Music digital revenue was due to continued growth in streaming services internationally, partially offset by a decline in digital downloads. International Recorded Music artist services and expanded-rights revenue increased $24 million due to higher advertising revenues and timing of tours in France. International Recorded Music physical revenue decreased by $22 million due to the continued shift from physical revenue to digital revenue, timing of releases and prior year success of Johnny Hallyday. International Recorded Music licensing revenue decreased $8 million primarily related to unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates and higher broadcast fees in the prior year. International Music Publishing revenue remained flat to prior year at $92 million for both the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. This was primarily driven by an increases in synchronization revenue of $4 million due to higher TV and commercial income and digital revenue of $1 million offset by decreases of performance revenue of $5 million primarily due to timing of distributions.

Our cost of revenues was composed of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,				*2019 vs. 2018*
	2019		2018		$ Change		% Change
Artist and repertoire costs	$	411	$	400	$	11		3	%
Product costs		254		226		28		12	%

Total cost of revenues	$	665	$	626	$	39		6	%

Artist and repertoire costs increased by $11 million, to $411 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $400 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Artist and repertoire costs as a percentage of revenue remained constant at 33% for both the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Product costs increased by $28 million, to $254 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $226 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Product costs as a percentage of revenue increased to 20% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from 19% for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Increases in product costs relate to revenue mix and impact of costs associated with tours in France.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Our selling, general and administrative expenses were composed of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,				*2019 vs. 2018*
	2019		2018		$ Change			% Change
General and administrative expense (1)	$	172	$	180	$	(8	)		-4	%
Selling and marketing expense		173		160		13			8	%
Distribution expense		34		36		(2	)		-6	%

Total selling, general and administrative expense	$	379	$	376	$	3			1	%

(1)	Includes depreciation expense of $24 million and $14 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Total selling, general and administrative expense increased by $3 million, or 1%, to $379 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $376 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Expressed as a percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expense decreased to 30% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from 31% for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

General and administrative expense decreased by $8 million, or 4%, to $172 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $180 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in general and administrative expense was mainly due to lower expense associated with our Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan of $19 million, partially offset by a one-time charge within depreciation expense of $10 million and costs associated with transformation initiatives. Expressed as a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expense decreased to 14% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from 15% for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

Selling and marketing expense increased by $13 million, or 8%, to $173 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $160 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The increase in selling and marketing expense was primarily due to increased variable marketing expense on higher revenue in the quarter and increased spending on developing artists. Expressed as a percentage of revenue, selling and marketing expense increased to 14% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from 13% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 due to the factors described above.

Distribution expense was $34 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and $36 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Expressed as a percentage of revenue, distribution expense remained flat at 3% for both the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. and Operating Income to Consolidated OIBDA

As previously described, we use OIBDA as our primary measure of financial performance. The following table reconciles operating income to OIBDA, and further provides the components from net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. to operating income for purposes of the discussion that follows (in millions):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,					*2019 vs. 2018*
	2019		2018			$ Change			% Change
Net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp.	$	120	$	86		$	34			40	%
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		2		—			2			—	%

Net income		122		86			36			42	%
Income tax expense		5		50			(45	)		-90	%

Income before income taxes		127		136			(9	)		-7	%
Other expense (income)		5		(28	)		33			—	%
Interest expense, net		33		36			(3	)		-8	%
Loss on extinguishment of debt		—		3			(3	)		-100	%

Operating income		165		147			18			12	%
Amortization expense		47		54			(7	)		-13	%
Depreciation expense		24		14			10			71	%

OIBDA	$	236	$	215		$	21			10	%

OIBDA

OIBDA increased by $21 million, or 10%, to $236 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 as compared to $215 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 as a result of higher revenues and lower general and administrative expenses. Expressed as a percentage of total revenue, OIBDA increased to 19% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from 18% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 due to the factors previously discussed.

Amortization expense

Our amortization expense decreased by $7 million, or 13%, to $47 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $54 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease is primarily due to intangible assets becoming fully amortized.

Operating income

Our operating income increased by $18 million to $165 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $147 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The increase in operating income was due to the factors that led to the increase in OIBDA.

Loss on extinguishment of debt

There was no loss on extinguishment of debt for the three months ended December 31, 2019. We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 which represents the unamortized deferred financing costs related to the partial redemption of the 4.125% Senior Secured Notes and 5.625% Senior Secured Notes, and the open market purchases of the 4.875% Senior Secured Notes.

Interest expense, net

Our interest expense, net, decreased to $33 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $36 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 due to a decline in LIBOR rates as well as lower interest rates resulting from the redemption of the 5.625% Senior Secured Notes and issuance of the 3.625% Senior Secured Notes.

Other expense (income), net

Other expense (income), net, for the three months ended December 31, 2019 primarily includes the loss on our Euro denominated debt of $12 million and $4 million unrealized losses on hedging activity, partially offset by currency exchange gains on our intercompany loans of $11 million. This compares to an unrealized gain of $15 million on the mark-to-market of an equity method investment and $5 million unrealized gains on hedging activity, foreign currency gains on our Euro denominated debt of $10 million, partially offset by the currency exchange losses on our intercompany loans of $5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

Income tax expense

Our income tax expense decreased by $45 million to $5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $50 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The change of $45 million in income tax expense primarily relates to the release of $33 million of our U.S. deferred tax valuation allowance during the three months ended December 31, 2019 and impact of GILTI during the three months ended December 31, 2018.

Net income

Net income increased by $36 million to $122 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from net income of $86 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 as a result of the factors described above.

Noncontrolling interest

There was $2 million of income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and no income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

Business Segment Results

Revenue, operating income (loss) and OIBDA by business segment were as follows (in millions):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,						*2019 vs. 2018*
	2019			2018			$ Change			% Change
Recorded Music
Revenues	$	1,084		$	1,041		$	43			4	%
Operating income		191			163			28			17	%
OIBDA		241			211			30			14	%
Music Publishing
Revenues		173			165			8			5	%
Operating income		14			22			(8	)		-36	%
OIBDA		33			39			(6	)		-15	%
Corporate expenses and eliminations
Revenue eliminations		(1	)		(3	)		2			-67	%
Operating loss		(40	)		(38	)		(2	)		5	%
OIBDA loss		(38	)		(35	)		(3	)		9	%
Total
Revenues		1,256			1,203			53			4	%
Operating income		165			147			18			12	%
OIBDA		236			215			21			10	%

Recorded Music

Revenues

Recorded Music revenue increased by $43 million, or 4%, to $1,084 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $1,041 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. U.S. Recorded Music revenues were $453 million and $431 million, or 42% and 41%, of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. International Recorded Music revenues were $631 million and $610 million, or 58% and 59%, of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for both the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

The overall increase in Recorded Music revenue was mainly driven by streaming revenue growth as described in the “—Results of Operations—Three Months Ended December 31, 2019 Compared with Three Months Ended December 31, 2018—Consolidated Results—Total Revenue” and “—Results of Operations—Three Months Ended December 31, 2019 Compared with Three Months Ended December 31, 2018—Consolidated Results—Revenue by Geographical Location” sections above.

Cost of revenues

Recorded Music cost of revenues was composed of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,				*2019 vs. 2018*
	2019		2018		$ Change			% Change
Artist and repertoire costs	$	294	$	295	$	(1	)		—	%
Product costs		254		226		28			12	%

Total cost of revenues	$	548	$	521	$	27			5	%

Recorded Music cost of revenues increased by $27 million, or 5%, to $548 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $521 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenue, Recorded Music artist and repertoire costs decreased to 27% for the three

months ended December 31, 2019 from 28% for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease is primarily attributable to revenue mix. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenue, Recorded Music product costs increased to 23% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from 22% for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The increase in product costs relates to revenue mix and impact of costs associated with tours in France.

Selling, general and administrative expense

Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expenses were composed of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,				*2019 vs. 2018*
	2019		2018		$ Change			% Change
General and administrative expense (1)	$	113	$	126	$	(13	)		-10	%
Selling and marketing expense		169		157		12			8	%
Distribution expense		34		36		(2	)		-6	%

Total selling, general and administrative expense	$	316	$	319	$	(3	)		-1	%

(1)	Includes depreciation expense of $21 million and $10 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and for the three months ended December 31, 2018, respectively.

Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expense decreased by $3 million, or 1%, to $316 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $319 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease in general and administrative expense was primarily due to lower expense associated with our Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan of $11 million and timing of variable compensation expense, partially offset by a one-time charge within depreciation expense of $10 million and higher employee related costs. The increase in selling and marketing expense was primarily due to increased variable marketing expense on higher revenue in the quarter and increased spending on developing artists. The decrease in distribution expense was primarily due to revenue mix. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenue, Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expense decreased to 29% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from 31% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 due to the factors described above.

Operating income and OIBDA

Recorded Music OIBDA included the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,				*2019 vs. 2018*
	2019		2018		$ Change		% Change
Operating income	$	191	$	163	$	28		17	%
Depreciation and amortization		50		48		2		4	%

OIBDA	$	241	$	211	$	30		14	%

Recorded Music OIBDA increased by $30 million, or 14%, to $241 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $211 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 as a result of higher revenues and lower general and administrative expenses. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenue, Recorded Music OIBDA increased to 22% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from 20% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 due to the factors previously discussed.

Recorded Music operating income increased by $28 million to $191 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $163 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 due to the factors that led to the increase in Recorded Music OIBDA noted above.

Music Publishing

Revenues

The overall increase in Music Publishing revenue was mainly driven by streaming revenue growth and higher synchronization as described in the “—Results of Operations—Three Months Ended December 31, 2019 Compared with Three Months Ended December 31, 2018—Consolidated Results—Total Revenue” and “—Results of Operations—Three Months Ended December 31, 2019 Compared with Three Months Ended December 31, 2018—Consolidated Results—Revenue by Geographical Location” sections above.

Cost of revenues

Music Publishing cost of revenues were composed of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,				*2019 vs. 2018*
	2019		2018		$ Change		% Change
Artist and repertoire costs	$	118	$	108	$	10		9	%

Total cost of revenues	$	118	$	108	$	10		9	%

Music Publishing cost of revenues increased by $10 million, or 9%, to $118 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $108 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenue, Music Publishing cost of revenues increased to 68% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from 65% for the three months ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to revenue mix and timing of A&R investments.

Selling, general and administrative expense

Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expenses were comprised of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,				*2019 vs. 2018*
	2019		2018		$ Change		% Change
General and administrative expense (1)	$	22	$	18	$	4		22	%
Selling and marketing expense		1		1		—		—	%

Total selling, general and administrative expense	$	23	$	19	$	4		21	%

(1)	Includes depreciation expense of $1 million for both the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expense increased to $23 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $19 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018 due to higher

employee related and restructuring costs. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenue, Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expense increased to 13% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from 12% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 due to factors described above.

Operating income and OIBDA

Music Publishing OIBDA included the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,				*2019 vs. 2018*
	2019		2018		$ Change			% Change
Operating income	$	14	$	22	$	(8	)		-36	%
Depreciation and amortization		19		17		2			12	%

OIBDA	$	33	$	39	$	(6	)		-15	%

Music Publishing OIBDA decreased by $6 million, or 15%, to $33 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $39 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenue, Music Publishing OIBDA decreased to 19% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from 24% for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The decrease was primarily due to higher artist and repertoire costs and general and administrative expenses.

Music Publishing operating income decreased by $8 million to $14 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 from $22 million operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2018 largely due to the factors that led to the decrease in Music Publishing OIBDA noted above.

Corporate Expenses and Eliminations

Our operating loss from corporate expenses and eliminations increased by $2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 to $40 million from $38 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018, which includes higher corporate related costs and transformation initiatives, partially offset by a decrease of $8 million in variable compensation associated with the Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan.

Our OIBDA loss from corporate expenses and eliminations increased by $3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 to $38 million from $35 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2019 Compared with Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2018 and Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017

Consolidated Results

Revenues

The Company’s revenues were composed of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,									*2019 vs. 2018*						*2018 vs. 2017*
	2019			2018			2017			$ Change			% Change			$ Change			% Change
Revenue by Type
Digital	$	2,343		$	2,019		$	1,692		$	324			16	%	$	327			19	%
Physical		559			630			667			(71	)		-11	%		(37	)		-6	%

Total Physical and Digital		2,902			2,649			2,359			253			10	%		290			12	%
Artist services and expanded-rights		629			389			385			240			62	%		4			1	%
Licensing		309			322			276			(13	)		-4	%		46			17	%

Total Recorded Music		3,840			3,360			3,020			480			14	%		340			11	%
Performance		183			212			197			(29	)		-14	%		15			8	%
Digital		271			237			187			34			14	%		50			27	%
Mechanical		55			72			65			(17	)		-24	%		7			11	%
Synchronization		120			119			112			1			1	%		7			6	%
Other		14			13			11			1			8	%		2			18	%

Total Music Publishing		643			653			572			(10	)		-2	%		81			14	%
Intersegment eliminations		(8	)		(8	)		(16	)		—			—	%		8			-50	%

Total Revenues	$	4,475		$	4,005		$	3,576		$	470			12	%	$	429			12	%

Revenue by Geographical Location
U.S. Recorded Music	$	1,656		$	1,460		$	1,329		$	196			13	%	$	131			10	%
U.S. Music Publishing		300			294			258			6			2	%		36			14	%

Total U.S.		1,956			1,754			1,587			202			12	%		167			11	%
International Recorded Music		2,184			1,900			1,691			284			15	%		209			12	%
International Music Publishing		343			359			314			(16	)		-4	%		45			14	%

Total International		2,527			2,259			2,005			268			12	%		254			13	%
Intersegment eliminations		(8	)		(8	)		(16	)		—			—	%		8			-50	%

Total Revenues	$	4,475		$	4,005		$	3,576		$	470			12	%	$	429			12	%

Total Revenues

2019 vs. 2018

Total revenues increased by $470 million, or 12%, to $4,475 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $4,005 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, which includes an increase of $240 million, or 6%, due to the acquisition of EMP and $28 million, or 1%, due to the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard, ASC 606, in October 2018. Prior to intersegment eliminations, Recorded Music revenues represented 86% and 84% of total revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively. Prior to intersegment eliminations, Music Publishing revenues represented 14% and 16% of total revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively. Prior to intersegment eliminations, U.S. and international revenues represented 44% and 56% of total revenues for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

Total digital revenues after intersegment eliminations increased by $358 million, or 16%, to $2,610 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $2,252 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. Total digital revenues represented 58% and 56% of consolidated revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively. Prior to intersegment eliminations, total digital revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 were comprised of U.S. revenues of $1,382 million and international revenues of $1,232 million, or 53% and 47% of total digital revenues, respectively. Prior to intersegment eliminations, total digital revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 were comprised of U.S. revenues of $1,169 million and international revenues of $1,087 million, or 52% and 48% of total digital revenues, respectively.

Recorded Music revenues increased by $480 million, or 14%, to $3,840 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $3,360 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. U.S. Recorded Music revenues were $1,656 million and $1,460 million, or 43% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018. International Recorded Music revenues were $2,184 million and $1,900 million, or 57% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

The overall increase in Recorded Music revenue was driven by increases in digital revenue and artist services and expanded-rights revenue, partially offset by decreases in physical revenue and licensing revenue. Digital revenue increased by $324 million as a result of the continued growth in streaming services and a strong release schedule including top seller Meek Mill and carryover success from Ed Sheeran, The Greatest Showman and Cardi B as well as the adoption of ASC 606. Revenue from streaming services grew by $396 million to $2,129 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $1,733 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. Digital revenue growth was partially offset by a decline in download and other digital revenues of $72 million to $214 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $286 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 due to the continued shift to streaming. Artist services and expanded-rights revenue increased by $240 million primarily due to a $240 million increase related to the acquisition of EMP, higher merchandising and advertising revenues and timing of larger tours in Japan, partially offset by $94 million related to the divestment of a concert promotion business in Italy and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $11 million. Physical revenue decreased by $71 million primarily due to the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $15 million, continued shift from physical revenue to digital revenue, partially offset by the success of new releases. Licensing revenue decreased by $13 million primarily due to the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $11 million and the impact of ASC 606 of $4 million.

Music Publishing revenues decreased by $10 million, or 2%, to $643 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $653 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, which was partially offset by an increase of $23 million due to the adoption of ASC 606. U.S. Music Publishing revenues were $300 million, or 47% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, and $294 million, or 45% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. International Music Publishing revenues were $343 million, or 53% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, and $359 million, or 55% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

The overall decrease in Music Publishing revenue was mainly driven by decreases in performance revenue of $29 million and mechanical revenue of $17 million, partially offset by increases in digital revenue of $34 million, synchronization revenue of $1 million and other revenue of $1 million. The decreases in Music Publishing performance revenue and mechanical revenue are primarily due to lost administration rights and lower market share, partially offset by $7 million related to the adoption of ASC 606. The increase in digital revenue includes an $14 million increase resulting from the adoption of ASC 606 and increases in streaming revenue driven by the continued growth in streaming services, partially offset by decreases in download revenue.

2018 vs. 2017

Total revenues increased by $429 million, or 12%, to $4,005 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $3,576 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Prior to intersegment eliminations, Recorded Music and Music Publishing revenues represented 84% and 16% of revenues for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Prior to intersegment eliminations, U.S. and international revenues represented 44% and 56% of total revenues for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.

Total digital revenues after intersegment eliminations increased by $382 million, or 20%, to $2,252 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $1,870 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Total digital revenues represented 56% and 52% of consolidated revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. Prior to intersegment eliminations, total digital revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 were comprised of U.S. revenues of $1,169 million and international revenues of $1,087 million, or 52% and 48% of total digital revenues, respectively. Prior to intersegment eliminations, total digital revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 were comprised of U.S. revenues of $1,005 million and international revenues of $874 million, or 53% and 47% of total digital revenues, respectively.

Recorded Music revenues increased by $340 million, or 11%, to $3,360 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $3,020 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. U.S. Recorded Music revenues were $1,460 million and $1,329 million, or 43% and 44% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. International Recorded Music revenues were $1,900 million and $1,691 million, or 57% and 56% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively.

The overall increase in Recorded Music revenue was driven by increases in digital revenue, licensing revenue and artist services and expanded-rights revenue, partially offset by a decrease in physical revenue. Digital revenue increased by $327 million as a result of the continued growth in streaming services, and a strong release schedule. Revenue from streaming services grew by $391 million to $1,733 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $1,342 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Digital revenue growth was partially offset by download and other digital declines of $64 million to $286 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $350 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Licensing revenue increased by $46 million primarily due to higher broadcast fee income, revenue from recent acquisitions and increased synchronization activity. Artist services and expanded-rights revenue increased by $4 million primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $13 million and higher merchandise revenue, partially offset by certain concert promotion business divestitures and the timing of tours. Physical revenue decreased by $37 million primarily due to underlying market decline as consumption shifts from physical to digital products.

Music Publishing revenues increased by $81 million, or 14%, to $653 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $572 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. U.S. Music Publishing revenues were $294 million and $258 million, or 45% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017. International Music Publishing revenues were $359 million and $314 million, or 55% of consolidated Music Publishing revenues for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.

The overall increase in Music Publishing revenue was mainly driven by increases in digital revenue of $50 million, performance revenue of $15 million, synchronization revenue of $7 million and mechanical revenue of $7 million. The increase in digital revenue was due to an increase in streaming of $60 million, partially offset by download and other digital declines of $10 million. Performance revenue increased due to higher distributions. Synchronization revenue increased due to increased television and commercial income. The increase in mechanical revenue was attributable to the timing of distributions.

Revenue by Geographical Location

2019 vs. 2018

U.S. revenue increased by $202 million, or 12%, to $1,956 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $1,754 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. U.S. Recorded Music revenue increased by $196 million or 13%. The primary driver was the increase in U.S. Recorded Music digital revenue, which increased by $191 million due to the continued growth in streaming services. Streaming revenue increased by $228 million, partially offset by a $37 million decline in download revenue. U.S. artist services and expanded-rights revenue also increased by $50 million, or 40%, driven by higher advertising and merchandising revenues. These increases were partially offset by a decline in U.S. physical revenue of $38 million due to the shift from physical to digital formats. U.S. Music Publishing revenue increased by $6 million or 2%. This was primarily driven by the increase in U.S. Music Publishing digital revenue of $22 million due to an increase in streaming revenue and adoption of ASC 606, partially offset by decreases in mechanical revenue of $12 million, performance revenue of $3 million and other revenue of $1 million.

International revenue increased by $268 million, or 12%, to $2,527 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $2,259 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, which includes $240 million related to the acquisition of EMP. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, International revenue increased by $375 million or 17%. International Recorded Music revenue increased $284 million primarily due to increases in digital revenue of $133 million and artist services and expanded-rights revenue of $190 million, partially offset by a decrease in physical revenue of $33 million and licensing revenue of $6 million. International Recorded Music digital revenue increased due to a $168 million increase in streaming services revenue, partially offset by a $35 million decline in download and other digital revenue. The increase in international Recorded Music streaming revenue was due to the continued growth in streaming services internationally and strong release performance. Decline in downloads was due to the continued shift to streaming services. International Recorded Music artist services and expanded-rights revenue increased $240 million due to the acquisition of EMP, higher merchandising revenues and timing of larger tours in Japan in the current fiscal year, partially offset by $94 million related to the divestment of a concert promotion business in Italy and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $11 million. International Recorded Music physical revenue decreased due to the continued shift from physical to digital formats and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $15 million, partially offset by the success of new releases including Johnny Hallyday in France and local artists in Japan. International Recorded Music licensing revenue decreased due to the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $13 million and the impact of ASC 606, partially offset by increased synchronization activity in the U.K. and Japan. International Music Publishing revenue decreased $16 million or 4%. This was primarily driven by decreases in international Music Publishing performance revenue of $26 million and mechanical revenue of $5 million both due to lost administration rights and lower market share, partially offset by the increase in digital revenue of $12 million primarily due to growth in streaming and the adoption of ASC 606.

2018 vs. 2017

U.S. revenue increased by $167 million, or 11%, to $1,754 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $1,587 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. U.S. Recorded Music revenue increased by $131 million or 10%. The primary driver was the increase in U.S. Recorded Music digital revenue, which increased by $144 million due to the continued growth in streaming services and strong release performance. U.S. licensing revenue increased by $9 million due to higher broadcast fee income and increased synchronization activity. These increases were partially offset by a decline in U.S. physical revenue of $16 million due to the shift from physical revenue to digital revenue and a decline in artist services and expanded-rights revenue of $6 million. U.S. Music Publishing revenues increased by $36 million or 14%. This was primarily driven by the increase in U.S. Music Publishing digital revenue of $20 million due to an increase in streaming revenue of $32 million from the continued growth in streaming services, partially offset by declines in download and other digital revenue of $12 million. U.S. mechanical revenue and U.S. performance revenue increased by $8 million

and $3 million, respectively, due to higher distributions. U.S synchronization revenue increased by $4 million due to increased film and commercial income.

International revenue increased by $254 million, or 13%, to $2,259 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $2,005 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Excluding the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates, international revenue increased by $163 million or 8%. International Recorded Music revenue increased $209 million primarily due to increases in digital revenue of $183 million, licensing revenue of $37 million and artist services and expanded-rights revenue of $10 million, partially offset by a decrease in physical revenue of $21 million. International Recorded Music digital revenue increased due to a $211 million increase in streaming services revenue, partially offset by a $28 million decline in download and other digital revenue. The increase in international Recorded Music streaming revenue was due to the continued growth in streaming services internationally and strong release performance from WANIMA in Japan. International Recorded Music licensing revenue increased due to revenue from recent acquisitions, higher broadcast fee income and the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $10 million. International Recorded Music artist services and expanded-rights revenue increased due to the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $13 million, partially offset by successful tours in France in the prior fiscal year with no comparable tours in the current fiscal year and divestment of certain concert promotion businesses in the prior year. International Recorded Music physical revenue decreased due to the continued shift from physical to digital revenue, partially offset by the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rates of $27 million. International Music Publishing revenue increased $45 million primarily due to increases in digital revenue of $30 million, in performance revenue of $12 million and in synchronization revenue of $3 million.

Cost of revenues

Our cost of revenues was composed of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,						*2019 vs. 2018*					*2018 vs. 2017*
	2019		2018		2017		$ Change		% Change			$ Change		% Change
Artist and repertoire costs	$	1,574	$	1,471	$	1,303	$	103		7	%	$	168		13	%
Product costs		827		700		628		127		18	%		72		12	%

Total cost of revenues	$	2,401	$	2,171	$	1,931	$	230		11	%	$	240		12	%

2019 vs. 2018

Our cost of revenues increased by $230 million, or 11%, to $2,401 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $2,171 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues remained constant at 54% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

Artist and repertoire costs increased by $103 million, or 7%, to $1,574 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $1,471 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. Artist and repertoire costs as a percentage of revenues decreased to 35% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from 37% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 due to the acquisition of EMP, which has no artist and repertoire costs and therefore reduces our total artist and repertoire costs as a percentage of revenue. Excluding EMP revenue, artist and repertoire costs were flat at 37%.

Product costs increased by $127 million, or 18%, to $827 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $700 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. Product costs as a percentage of revenues remained flat at 18% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018. The overall increase in product costs relate to the acquisition of EMP of $116 million as well as revenue mix related to increasing artist services and expanded-rights revenues, which were partially offset by $82 million related to the divestment of a concert promotion business in Italy.

2018 vs. 2017

Our cost of revenues increased by $240 million, or 12%, to $2,171 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $1,931 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, cost of revenues remained flat at 54% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.

Artist and repertoire costs increased by $168 million, or 13%, to $1,471 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $1,303 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Artist and repertoire costs as a percentage of revenues increased to 37% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from 36% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. The increase was primarily driven by the mix of revenue and increased investment in artists and songwriters.

Product costs increased by $72 million, or 12%, to $700 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $628 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Product costs as a percentage of revenues remained flat at 18% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Our selling, general and administrative expenses are composed of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,						*2019 vs. 2018*						*2018 vs. 2017*
	2019		2018		2017		$ Change			% Change			$ Change		% Change
General and administrative expense (1)	$	764	$	814	$	684	$	(50	)		-6	%	$	130		19	%
Selling and marketing expense		632		530		472		102			19	%		58		12	%
Distribution expense		114		67		66		47			70	%		1		2	%

Total selling, general and administrative expense	$	1,510	$	1,411	$	1,222	$	99			7	%	$	189		16	%

(1)	Includes depreciation expense of $61 million, $55 million and $50 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively.

2019 vs. 2018

Total selling, general and administrative expense increased by $99 million, or 7%, to $1,510 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $1,411 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 34% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from 35% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

General and administrative expenses decreased by $50 million, or 6%, to $764 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $814 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. The decrease in general and administrative expense was primarily due to lower expense associated with the Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan of $37 million and a decrease in severance and restructuring costs of $46 million, partially offset by higher employee-related costs. Expressed as a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expense decreased to 17% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from 20% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

Selling and marketing expense increased by $102 million, or 19%, to $632 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $530 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. The increase in selling and marketing expense was primarily due to an increase of $71 million relating to the acquisition of EMP and increased variable marketing expenses on higher revenue during the fiscal year. Expressed as a percentage of

revenues, selling and marketing expense increased to 14% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from 13% for the fiscal year September 30, 2018. Excluding the acquisition of EMP, selling and marketing expense was flat at 13%.

Distribution expense increased by $47 million, or 70%, to $114 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $67 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, distribution expense increased to 3% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from 2% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 mainly due to $35 million in costs resulting from the acquisition of EMP. Excluding the acquisition of EMP, distribution expense was flat at 2%.

2018 vs. 2017

Total selling, general and administrative expense increased by $189 million, or 16%, to $1,411 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $1,222 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 35% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from 34% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

General and administrative expenses increased by $130 million, or 19%, to $814 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $684 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. The increase in general and administrative expense was primarily due to increases in other employee related compensation expense, including severance and restructuring costs, of $78 million, and an increase in facilities cost due to an overlap in terms on the lease of our new Los Angeles, California headquarters with our existing office leases of $16 million. The increase was also due to an increase in expense associated with the Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan of $6 million, which is primarily related to compensation costs associated with higher dividend payments in the 2018 fiscal year. Expressed as a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expense increased to 20% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from 19% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

Selling and marketing expense increased by $58 million, or 12%, to $530 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $472 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, selling and marketing expense remained flat at 13% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.

Distribution expense increased by $1 million, or 2%, to $67 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $66 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Expressed as a percentage of revenues, distribution expense remained flat at 2% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.

Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. and Operating Income to Consolidated OIBDA


	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,									*2019 vs. 2018*						*2018 vs. 2017*
	2019			2018			2017			$ Change			% Change			$ Change			% Change
Net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp.	$	256		$	307		$	143		$	(51	)		-17	%	$	164			115	%
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest		2			5			6			(3	)		-60	%		(1	)		-17	%

Net income		258			312			149			(54	)		-17	%		163			109	%
Income tax expense (benefit)		9			130			(151	)		(121	)		-93	%		281			—	%

Income (loss) before income taxes		267			442			(2	)		(175	)		-40	%		444			—	%
Other (income) expense		(60	)		(394	)		40			334			-85	%		(434	)		—	%
Interest expense, net		142			138			149			4			3	%		(11	)		-7	%
Loss on extinguishment of debt		7			31			35			(24	)		-77	%		(4	)		-11	%

Operating income		356			217			222			139			64	%		(5	)		-2	%
Amortization expense		208			206			201			2			1	%		5			3	%
Depreciation expense		61			55			50			6			11	%		5			10	%

OIBDA	$	625		$	478		$	473		$	147			31	%	$	5			1	%

OIBDA

2019 vs. 2018

Our OIBDA increased by $147 million, or 31%, to $625 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 as compared to $478 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, primarily as a result of higher revenues and lower general and administrative expenses. Expressed as a percentage of total revenues, OIBDA increased to 14% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from 12% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 largely due to $15 million related to the transition in timing of revenues and related costs resulting from the adoption of ASC 606, $18 million related to the acquisition of EMP, which is a lower-margin business, and lower general and administrative expenses.

2018 vs. 2017

Our OIBDA increased by $5 million, or 1%, to $478 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 as compared to $473 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, primarily as a result of higher revenue, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses. Expressed as a percentage of total revenues, OIBDA decreased to 12% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from 13% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

Depreciation expense

2019 vs. 2018

Our depreciation expense increased by $6 million, or 11%, to $61 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $55 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to increased assets from the EMP acquisition in October 2018 and our new Los Angeles, California headquarters placed into service in April 2019.

2018 vs. 2017

Our depreciation expense increased by $5 million, or 10%, to $55 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $50 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to an increase in technology and facilities capital spending.

Amortization expense

2019 vs. 2018

Amortization expense increased by $2 million, or 1%, to $208 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $206 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to an increase in amortizable intangible assets related to the acquisition of EMP in October 2018, offset by the impact of foreign currency exchange rates.

2018 vs. 2017

Amortization expense increased by $5 million, or 3%, to $206 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $201 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, primarily due to an increase in amortizable intangible assets and the impact of foreign currency exchange rates.

Operating income

2019 vs. 2018

Our operating income increased by $139 million to $356 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $217 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. The increase in operating income was due to the factors that led to the increase in OIBDA.

2018 vs. 2017

Our operating income decreased by $5 million to $217 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $222 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. The decrease in operating income was primarily due to higher general and administrative expenses as noted above, partially offset by higher revenue.

Loss on extinguishment of debt

2019 vs. 2018

We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $7 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, which represents the unamortized deferred financing costs related to the redemption of the 4.125% Secured Notes and 5.625% Secured Notes, in addition to the open market purchase of the 4.875% Secured Notes. We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $31 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, which represents the premium paid on early redemption and unamortized deferred financing costs related to the refinancing transactions that occurred during fiscal 2018. Please refer to Note 8 of our audited Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

2018 vs. 2017

We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $31 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, which represents the premium paid on early redemption and unamortized deferred financing costs related to the June 7, 2018 amendment to the Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement, the redemption of the 6.750% Senior Notes and the December 6, 2017 amendment to the Senior Term Loan Credit Agreement. We recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $35 million for the fiscal year ended September 30,

2017, which represents the premium paid on early redemption and unamortized deferred financing costs related to the refinancing transactions that occurred during fiscal 2017. Please refer to Note 8 of our audited Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.

Interest expense, net

2019 vs. 2018

Our interest expense, net increased by $4 million, or 3% to $142 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $138 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. This was primarily driven by the higher debt balance from the issuance of the 3.625% Secured Notes during the current year, offset by lower interest rates as a result of refinancing transactions and redemption activity.

2018 vs. 2017

Our interest expense, net, decreased by $11 million, or 7% to $138 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $149 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. This was primarily due to lower interest rates as a result of refinancing transactions and interest income on higher cash balances during the year.

Other (income) expense, net

2019 vs. 2018

Other (income) expense, net decreased by $334 million to other income of $60 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from other income of $394 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. Other (income) expense, net for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 primarily includes the unrealized gain of $19 million on the mark-to-market of an equity method investment and foreign exchange currency gains on our Euro-denominated debt of $43 million, partially offset by movements in foreign exchange rates.

Other (income) expense, net for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 includes the gain on the Spotify share sale, net of estimated artist share and other related costs, of $382 million, gain on investments of $7 million and foreign currency gains on our Euro-denominated debt of $4 million.

2018 vs. 2017

Other (income) expense, net, increased by $434 million to other income of $394 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from other expense of $40 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Other (income) expense, net for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, includes the gain on the Spotify share sale, net of estimated artist share and other related costs of $382 million, gain on investments of $7 million and foreign currency gains on our Euro-denominated debt of $4 million.

Other (income) expense, net for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, includes currency exchange loss on our Euro-denominated debt of $27 million, loss on investments of $21 million, partially offset by foreign currency exchange gains on intercompany loans and derivative liabilities of $5 million.

Income tax expense (benefit)

2019 vs. 2018

Our income tax expense decreased by $121 million to $9 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $130 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. The net decrease of $121 million in income tax expense primarily relates to the release of $59 million of our U.S. deferred tax valuation allowance and higher tax expense of $77 million in fiscal 2018 as a result of the gain on the sale of the Spotify shares in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

2018 vs. 2017

Our income tax expense (benefit) increased by $281 million to $130 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 compared to an income tax benefit of $151 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. The net increase of $281 million in income tax expense primarily relates to higher pre-tax income as a result of the gain on the Spotify share sale of $77 million and U.S. tax expense of $23 million for the reduction of our net U.S. deferred tax assets as a result of the change in the U.S. corporate statutory tax rate, as compared to a U.S. tax benefit of $125 million related to the reversal of a significant portion of our U.S. deferred tax valuation allowance and a $59 million benefit related to foreign currency losses on intra-entity loans.

Net income

2019 vs. 2018

Our net income decreased by $54 million to $258 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $312 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 as a result of the factors described above.

2018 vs. 2017

Our net income increased by $163 million, to $312 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $149 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 as a result of the factors described above. The increase in income was primarily driven by the factors described above.

Noncontrolling interest

2019 vs. 2018

There was $2 million of income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 primarily due to the adoption of ASC 606. There was $5 million of income attributable to noncontrolling interests for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

2018 vs. 2017

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was $5 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 and $6 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

Business Segment Results

Revenue, operating income (loss) and OIBDA by business segment are as follows (in millions):


	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,									*2019 vs. 2018*						*2018 vs. 2017*
	2019			2018			2017			$ Change			% Change			$ Change			% Change
Recorded Music
Revenue	$	3,840		$	3,360		$	3,020		$	480			14	%	$	340			11	%
Operating income		439			307			283			132			43	%		24			9	%
OIBDA		623			480			451			143			30	%		29			6	%
Music Publishing
Revenue		643			653			572			(10	)		-2	%		81			14	%
Operating income		92			84			81			8			10	%		3			4	%
OIBDA		166			159			152			7			4	%		7			5	%
Corporate expenses and eliminations
Revenue elimination		(8	)		(8	)		(16	)		—			—	%		8			-50	%
Operating loss		(175	)		(174	)		(142	)		(1	)		1	%		(32	)		23	%
OIBDA		(164	)		(161	)		(130	)		(3	)		2	%		(31	)		24	%
Total
Revenue		4,475			4,005			3,576			470			12	%		429			12	%
Operating income		356			217			222			139			64	%		(5	)		-2	%
OIBDA		625			478			473			147			31	%		5			1	%

Recorded Music

Revenues

2019 vs. 2018

Recorded Music revenues increased by $480 million, or 14%, to $3,840 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $3,360 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. U.S. Recorded Music revenues were $1,656 million and $1,460 million, or 43% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively. International Recorded Music revenues were $2,184 million and $1,900 million, or 57% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues, for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively.

The overall increase in Recorded Music revenue was driven by increases in digital revenue and artist services and expanded-rights revenue, partially offset by a decrease in physical revenue and licensing revenue as described in the “—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2019 Compared with Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2018 and Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017—Consolidated Results—Total Revenue” and “—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2019 Compared with Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2018 and Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017—Consolidated Results—Revenue by Geographical Location” sections above.

2018 vs. 2017

Recorded Music revenues increased by $340 million, or 11%, to $3,360 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $3,020 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. U.S. Recorded Music revenues were $1,460 million and $1,329 million, or 43% and 44% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively. International Recorded Music revenues were $1,900 million and $1,691 million, or 57% and 56% of consolidated Recorded Music revenues for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively.

The overall increase in Recorded Music revenue was mainly driven by streaming revenue growth as described in the “—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2019 Compared with Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2018 and Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017—Consolidated Results—Total Revenue” and “—Results of Operations—Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2019 Compared with Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2018 and Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2017—Consolidated Results—Revenue by Geographical Location” sections above.

Cost of revenues

Recorded Music cost of revenues was composed of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,						*2019 vs. 2018*					*2018 vs. 2017*
	2019		2018		2017		$ Change		% Change			$ Change		% Change
Artist and repertoire costs	$	1,178	$	1,054	$	964	$	124		12	%	$	90		9	%
Product costs		827		700		628		127		18	%		72		12	%

Total cost of revenues	$	2,005	$	1,754	$	1,592	$	251		14	%	$	162		10	%

2019 vs. 2018

Recorded Music cost of revenues increased by $251 million, or 14%, to $2,005 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $1,754 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenues, cost of revenues remained flat at 52% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

Artist and repertoire costs as a percentage of revenue remained constant at 31% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018. Excluding EMP revenue, artist and repertoire costs as a percentage of revenue increased to 33% primarily driven by the mix of revenue, increased investments in artists and songwriters and the prior year benefit for advance recoveries of $10 million.

Product costs as a percentage of revenue increased to 22% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from 21% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. The increase in product costs is primarily due to the acquisition of EMP, partially offset by a concert promotion business divestment in Italy.

2018 vs. 2017

Recorded Music cost of revenues increased by $162 million, or 10%, to $1,754 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $1,592 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. Artist and repertoire costs as a percentage of revenue decreased to 31% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from 32% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 primarily due to a shift in revenue mix toward higher-margin digital revenues from lower-margin physical revenues internationally and a benefit for advance recoveries of $10 million. Product costs as a percentage of revenue remained flat at 21% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenues, cost of revenues decreased to 52% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from 53% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

Selling, general and administrative expense

Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expenses were composed of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,						*2019 vs. 2018*						*2018 vs. 2017*
	2019		2018		2017		$ Change			% Change			$ Change		% Change
General and administrative expense (1)	$	522	$	573	$	478	$	(51	)		-9	%	$	95		20	%
Selling and marketing expense		621		521		465		100			19	%		56		12	%
Distribution expense		114		67		66		47			70	%		1		2	%

Total selling, general and administrative expense	$	1,257	$	1,161	$	1,009	$	96			8	%	$	152		15	%

(1)	Includes depreciation expense of $45 million, $35 million, and $32 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively.

2019 vs. 2018

Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expense increased by $96 million, or 8%, to $1,257 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $1,161 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. The decrease in Recorded Music general and administrative expense was primarily due to lower expense associated with the Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan of $21 million and decreases in severance and restructuring costs of $44 million, partially offset by higher employee related costs. The increase in selling and marketing expense was primarily due to $71 million resulting from the acquisition of EMP and increased variable marketing expense on higher revenue in the fiscal year. The increase in distribution expense was primarily due to $35 million in costs resulting from the acquisition of EMP during the year. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenue, Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expense decreased to 33% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from 35% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

2018 vs. 2017

Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expense increased by $152 million, or 15%, to $1,161 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $1,009 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. The increase in Recorded Music general and administrative expense was primarily due to increases in other employee related compensation including severance and restructuring costs of $63 million and an increase in facilities cost due to an overlap in terms on the lease of our new Los Angeles, California headquarters with our existing office leases of $15 million. The increase was also due to an increase in expense of $1 million associated with the Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan, which is primarily related to compensation costs associated with higher dividend payments in the 2018 fiscal year. Selling and marketing expense increased in line with the increase in revenue. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenue, Recorded Music selling, general and administrative expense increased to 35% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from 33% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

Operating income and OIBDA

Recorded Music OIBDA included the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,						*2019 vs. 2018*					*2018 vs. 2017*
	2019		2018		2017		$ Change		% Change			$ Change		% Change
Operating income	$	439	$	307	$	283	$	132		43	%	$	24		9	%
Depreciation and amortization		184		173		168		11		6	%		5		3	%

OIBDA	$	623	$	480	$	451	$	143		30	%	$	29		6	%

2019 vs. 2018

Recorded Music OIBDA increased by $143 million, or 30%, to $623 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $480 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 primarily as a result of higher Recorded Music revenues, $18 million related to the acquisition of EMP which is a lower-margin business and lower general and administrative expenses. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenues, Recorded Music OIBDA increased to 16% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from 14% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

Recorded Music operating income increased by $132 million to $439 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $307 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 due to the factors that led to the increase in Recorded Music OIBDA noted above.

2018 vs. 2017

Recorded Music OIBDA increased by $29 million, or 6%, to $480 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $451 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 primarily as a result of higher Recorded Music revenues, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses. Expressed as a percentage of Recorded Music revenues, Recorded Music OIBDA decreased to 14% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from 15% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

Recorded Music operating income increased by $24 million to $307 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $283 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 due to the increase in revenue, partially offset by higher general and administrative expenses as noted above.

Music Publishing

Revenues

2019 vs. 2018

Music Publishing revenues decreased by $10 million, or 2%, to $643 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $653 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. U.S. Music Publishing revenues were $300 million and $294 million, or 47% and 45%, of Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively. International Music Publishing revenues were $343 million and $359 million, or 53% and 55%, of Music Publishing revenues for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively.

The overall decrease in Music Publishing revenue was mainly driven by a decrease in revenues associated with lost administrative rights and lower market share, partially offset by the increase in digital revenue and the impact of the adoption of ASC 606, as described in the “Total Revenues” and “Revenue by Geographical Location” sections above.

2018 vs. 2017

Music Publishing revenues increased by $81 million, or 14%, to $653 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $572 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. U.S. Music Publishing revenues were $294 million and $258 million, or 45% of Music Publishing revenues for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017. International Music Publishing revenues were $359 million and $314 million, or 55% of Music Publishing revenues for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.

The overall increase in Music Publishing revenue was mainly driven by the increase in digital revenue as described in the “Total Revenues” and “Revenue by Geographical Location” sections above.

Cost of revenues

Music Publishing cost of revenues was composed of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,						*2019 vs. 2018*						*2018 vs. 2017*
	2019		2018		2017		$ Change			% Change			$ Change		% Change
Artist and repertoire costs	$	404	$	425	$	355	$	(21	)		-5	%	$	70		20	%

Total cost of revenues	$	404	$	425	$	355	$	(21	)		-5	%	$	70		20	%

2019 vs. 2018

Music Publishing cost of revenues decreased by $21 million, or 5%, to $404 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $425 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenue, Music Publishing cost of revenues decreased to 63% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from 65% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, primarily due to the adoption of ASC 606, which resulted in a shift in the timing of recognition of revenues and certain related costs from a cash to an accrual basis.

2018 vs. 2017

Music Publishing cost of revenues increased by $70 million, or 20%, to $425 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $355 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 due to revenue mix and increased A&R investment costs. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenue, Music Publishing cost of revenues increased to 65% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from 62% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

Selling, general and administrative expense

Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expenses were comprised of the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,						*2019 vs. 2018*					*2018 vs. 2017*
	2019		2018		2017		$ Change		% Change			$ Change		% Change
General and administrative expense (1)	$	76	$	74	$	69	$	2		3	%	$	5		7	%
Selling and marketing expense		2		2		2		—		—	%		—		—	%

Total selling, general and administrative expense	$	78	$	76	$	71	$	2		3	%	$	5		7	%

(1)	Includes depreciation expense of $5 million, $7 million and $6 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively.

2019 vs. 2018

Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expense increased by $2 million, or 3%, to $78 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 as compared to $76 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. The increase in general and administrative expense was primarily due to an increase in facilities costs. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenues, Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expense remained flat at 12% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018.

2018 vs. 2017

Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expense increased by $5 million, or 7%, to $76 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 as compared to $71 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. The increase in general and administrative expense was due to an increase in compensation expense of $3 million and facilities costs of $2 million. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenues, Music Publishing selling, general and administrative expense remained flat at 12% for each of the fiscal years ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.

Operating income and OIBDA

Music Publishing OIBDA includes the following amounts (in millions):


	For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,						*2019 vs. 2018*						*2018 vs. 2017*
	2019		2018		2017		$ Change			% Change			$ Change		% Change
Operating income	$	92	$	84	$	81	$	8			10	%	$	3		4	%
Depreciation and amortization		74		75		71		(1	)		-1	%		4		6	%

OIBDA	$	166	$	159	$	152	$	7			4	%	$	7		5	%

2019 vs. 2018

Music Publishing OIBDA increased by $7 million, or 4%, to $166 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $159 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenues, Music Publishing OIBDA margin increased to 26% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from 24% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. The increase was primarily due to $12 million from the adoption of ASC 606, which resulted in a shift in the timing of recognition of revenues and certain related costs from a cash to an accrual basis, partially offset by lower revenue and higher general and administrative expenses.

Music Publishing operating income increased by $8 million to $92 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $84 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 due to the factors that led to the increase in Music Publishing OIBDA noted above.

2018 vs. 2017

Music Publishing OIBDA increased by $7 million, or 5%, to $159 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $152 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 as a result of higher Music Publishing revenue, partially offset by higher artist and repertoire costs and higher general and administrative costs, as noted above. Expressed as a percentage of Music Publishing revenues, Music Publishing OIBDA margin decreased to 24% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from 27% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

Music Publishing operating income increased by $3 million to $84 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $81 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 due to the factors that led to the increase in Music Publishing OIBDA noted above.

Corporate Expenses and Eliminations

2019 vs. 2018

Our OIBDA loss from corporate expenses and eliminations increased by $3 million to $164 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $161 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, which includes higher corporate related costs, partially offset by a decrease of $15 million in variable compensation associated with the Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan.

Our operating loss from corporate expenses and eliminations increased by $1 million to $175 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 from $174 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

2018 vs. 2017

Our OIBDA loss from corporate expenses and eliminations increased by $31 million to $161 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $130 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 due to

costs associated with our U.S. shared services and other transformation initiatives of $16 million, an increase in our annual Access management fee of $7 million, an increase in variable compensation expense of $5 million associated with the Senior Management Free Cash Flow Plan, which is associated with higher compensation costs on dividend payments in the 2018 fiscal year.

Our operating loss from corporate expenses and eliminations increased by $32 million to $174 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 from $142 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 due to the factors that led to the increase in operating loss noted above.

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

Financial Condition at December 31, 2019

At December 31, 2019, we had $2.988 billion of debt (which is net of $27 million of deferred financing costs), $462 million of cash and equivalents (net debt of $2.526 billion, defined as total debt, less cash and equivalents and deferred financing costs) and $190 million of Warner Music Group Corp. deficit. This compares to $2.974 billion of debt (which is net of $29 million of deferred financing costs), $619 million of cash and equivalents (net debt of $2.355 billion) and $289 million of Warner Music Group Corp. deficit at September 30, 2019.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our historical cash flows (in millions). The financial data for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are unaudited and have been derived from our interim financial statements included elsewhere herein. The financial data for fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 have been derived from our audited financial statements included elsewhere herein.


	For the Three Months Ended December 31,						For the Fiscal Year Ended September 30,
	2019			2018			2019			2018			2017
Cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities	$	78		$	92		$	400		$	425		$	535
Investing activities		(32	)		(238	)		(376	)		405			(126	)
Financing activities		(207	)		182			88			(955	)		(128	)

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $78 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 as compared with cash provided by operating activities of $92 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. The $14 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to timing of working capital and higher cash taxes, partially offset by an OIBDA increase of $21 million.

Cash provided by operating activities was $400 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 compared to $425 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 and $535 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. The primary driver of the $25 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities during the current year was due to an increase in royalty advances and royalty payments, partially offset by an OIBDA increase of $147 million.

The decrease in results from operating activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 reflected timing of royalty payments, partially offset by improved operating performance.

Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities was $32 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 as compared with cash used in investing activities of $238 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

The $32 million of cash used in investing activities in the three months ended December 31, 2019 consisted of $6 million relating to investments, $15 million relating to capital expenditures and $11 million to acquire music publishing rights. The $238 million of cash used in investing activities in the three months ended December 31, 2018 consisted of $183 million relating to the acquisition of EMP, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired, $23 million relating to the acquisition of equity investments, $26 million relating to capital expenditure and $5 million to acquire music publishing rights.

Cash used in investing activities was $376 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, compared to cash provided by investing activities of $405 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 and cash used in investing activities of $126 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

Cash used in investing activities of $376 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 consisted of $183 million related to the acquisition of EMP, net of cash and equivalents acquired, $48 million relating to the acquisition of investments, $104 million relating to capital expenditures and $41 million to acquire music publishing rights and music catalogs.

Cash provided by investing activities of $405 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 consisted of $516 million of proceeds from sale of investments which includes the Spotify share sale of $504 million, partially offset by $74 million of capital expenditures, which has increased due to costs incurred related to the build-out of our new Los Angeles, California headquarters of $28 million, $23 million of investments and acquisitions and $14 million to acquire music publishing rights.

Cash used in investing activities of $126 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 consisted of $139 million of business investments and acquisitions, including the Spinnin’ Records acquisition in September 2017, $16 million to acquire music publishing rights and $44 million of capital expenditures, partially offset by $73 million of proceeds from divestitures.

Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities was $207 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019 as compared with cash provided by financing activities of $182 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018.

The $207 million of cash used in financing activities for the three months ended December 31, 2019 consisted of dividends paid of $206 million and distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $1 million. The $182 million of cash provided by financing activities for the three months ended December 31, 2018 consisted of proceeds of $287 million from the issuance of Acquisition Corp.’s 3.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 partially offset by deferred financing costs paid of $4 million, the partial repayment of Acquisition Corp.’s 4.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2024, 4.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2024 and 5.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2022, including call premiums paid, for an aggregate $99 million and distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $2 million.

Cash provided by financing activities was $88 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 compared to cash used in financing activities of $955 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 and $128 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

The $88 million of cash provided by financing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019 consisted of proceeds of $514 million from the issuance of Acquisition Corp.’s 3.625% Secured Notes due 2026,

partially offset by deferred financing costs paid of $7 million, the repayment of Acquisition Corp.’s 5.625% Secured Notes due 2022 of $247 million including call premiums paid of $5 million, partial repayment of Acquisition Corp.’s 4.125% Secured Notes due 2024 of $40 million and 4.875% Secured Notes due 2024 of $30 million, for an aggregate $185 million, cash dividends paid of $94 million and distributions to noncontrolling interest holders of $3 million.

The $955 million of cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018 consisted of the repayment of and deposit for Acquisition Corp.’s 6.750% Senior Notes of $635 million, cash dividends paid of $925 million, call premiums paid on and redemption deposit for early redemption of $23 million, deferred financing costs paid of $12 million and a distribution to our non-controlling interest holders of $5 million, partially offset by proceeds from issuance of Acquisition Corp.’s Senior Notes (as defined below) of $325 million and proceeds from the issuance of Acquisition Corp.’s Senior Term Loan Facility of $320 million.

The $128 million of cash used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 consisted of the repayment of Acquisition Corp.’s 6.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 of $450 million, repayment of Acquisition Corp.’s 6.250% Senior Secured Notes due 2021 of $173 million, repayment of Acquisition Corp.’s 5.625% Secured Notes of $28 million, call premiums paid on early redemption of $27 million, deferred financing costs paid of $13 million, cash dividends paid of $84 million and a distribution to our non-controlling interest holders of $5 million, partially offset by proceeds from issuance of Acquisition Corp.’s 4.125% Secured Notes of €345 million, proceeds from issuance of Acquisition Corp.’s 4.875% Secured Notes of $250 million and proceeds from the amendment of Acquisition Corp.’s Senior Term Loan Facility of $22 million.

There were no drawdowns on the Revolving Credit Facility during the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017.

Liquidity

Our primary sources of liquidity are the cash flows generated from our subsidiaries’ operations, available cash and equivalents and funds available for drawing under our Revolving Credit Facility. These sources of liquidity are needed to fund our debt service requirements, working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, strategic acquisitions and investments, and any dividends, prepayments of debt or repurchases or retirement of our outstanding debt or notes in open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise, we may elect to pay or make in the future. We believe that our existing sources of cash will be sufficient to support our existi