Music catalogue due diligence

A catalogue acquisition is only as good as the diligence behind it. Before you rely on a seller's number, verify it — here is what serious buyers check, and how it ties back to what the catalogue is actually worth.

Verify the revenue

Start with the money. Reconcile the seller's royalty statements across platforms, periods and currencies — the real, net annual income, not gross or a cherry-picked best year. Look for one-off spikes (a sync, a viral moment) that won't repeat.

Verify the rights

Confirm exactly what is being sold: master, publishing, or both, the territories, the term, and any splits or encumbrances. An ISRC identifies a recording but does not prove ownership — ask for the chain of title.

Assess persistence & risk

• Revenue persistence — is income stable, or decaying fast?
• Concentration — how much depends on one or two tracks, platforms or territories?
• Momentum — growing or declining audience?
• Comparables — does the asking multiple match recent deals?

Frequently asked

General information, not investment, legal or tax advice. Valuing music rights involves assumptions and uncertainty; past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.