Universal Music Group discussed going private with buyout firms, Bloomberg News reports (updated)

Pershing Square Holdings

26/10/2026 21:50

Adds details from the report and some background
Oct 26 (Reuters) - Universal Music Group UMG.AS held preliminary discussions with private equity firms earlier this year about going private, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The music label's management held preliminary talks with private equity firms including Apollo Global Management APO.N, TPG TPG.O and Blackstone BX.N, according to the report
Talks have not progressed and Universal has not started a sale process, the report said, adding that the company's board is aware of the discussions
Universal, Apollo Global Management, TPG and Blackstone did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment
The report comes months after Universal's board unanimously rejected an unsolicited takeover proposal from Bill Ackman's Pershing Square Capital Management PSHP.L

 (Reporting by Abu Sultan in Bengaluru; Editing by Diti Pujara and Shreya Biswas)
 ((Abu.Sultan@thomsonreuters.com;))