Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in Goodwill for Each Reportable Segment

The following analysis details the changes in goodwill for each reportable segment:

	Recorded			Music
	Music			Publishing		Total
	(in millions)
Balance at September 30, 2014	$	1,197		$	464	$	1,661
Acquisitions		3			—		3
Dispositions		—			—		—
Other adjustments		(32	)		—		(32	)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	1,168		$	464	$	1,632
Acquisitions		13			—		13
Dispositions		(12	)		—		(12	)
Other adjustments		(6	)		—		(6	)
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	1,163		$	464	$	1,627

Schedule of Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following:

	Weighted
	Average	September 30,			September 30,
	Useful Life	2016			2015
		(in millions)
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Recorded music catalog	10 years	$	923		$	992
Music publishing copyrights	27 years		1,504			1,497
Artist and songwriter contracts	13 years		883			926
Trademarks	7 years		7			7
Other intangible assets	8 years		5			—
Total gross intangible asset subject to amortization			3,322			3,422
Accumulated amortization			(1,121	)		(908	)
Total net intangible assets subject to amortization			2,201			2,514
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Trademarks and tradenames	Indefinite		116			119
Total net other intangible assets		$	2,317		$	2,633

Expected Amortization of Intangible Assets

Based on the amount of intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2016, the expected amortization for each of the next five fiscal years and thereafter are as follows:

	Fiscal YearsEnded
	September 30,
	(in millions)
2017	$	205
2018		205
2019		190
2020		175
2021		175
Thereafter		1,251
	$	2,201