Reservoir MediaEmpowering music creators with a diverse catalog of hits from 1900 to today.3.7 out of 5
3.7 out of 5
Hot take
Reservoir Media stands out as a major independent player in the mechanical licensing and music publishing space, with a robust catalog of over 150,000 copyrights and 36,000 master recordings. As the first female-founded and led publicly traded music company in the U.S., Reservoir has made strong industry moves, consistently landing in Billboard’s Publisher’s Quarterly Top 10 Market Share from 2017–2021. Its operational model is built around acquiring, managing, and monetizing music rights and recordings, offering services like music publishing, recorded music management, and creative/sync licensing. While they bring significant resources and have global reach, some indie creators may find the scale a double-edged sword—potentially leading to less personalized attention. Since Reservoir's business model is highly acquisition-driven, rights retention and creative control could be concerns for artists seeking a more boutique approach. Still, their commitment to copyright management and royalty collection is clear, and their 16% revenue growth in 2024 highlights their strong digital focus.
How was this take was created?
Pros
Extensive and diverse music catalog
Strong focus on copyright and royalty management
Reputation for industry leadership and consistent market share
Offers sync licensing and custom music solutions
Publicly traded, transparent operations
Global presence with offices in key music cities
Cons
Acquisition-heavy model may limit artist control
Scale may result in less personalized support for smaller creators
Potential for complex contracts and royalty structures
Not as boutique or indie-focused as smaller competitors
Key Features
Music publishing and copyright management
Licensing for film, TV, advertising, and gaming
Recorded music acquisition and distribution
Royalty collection and distribution
Sync licensing and creative services
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