Tencent Doubles Stake in Universal Music Group

The deal bolsters Tencent’s growing presence in the record industry and its exposure to some of the biggest names in music. Universal’s stable also includes classic acts such as Queen and the Beatles, and it recently bought Bob Dylan’s entire publishing catalog.

The purchase comes nearly a year after the Tencent-led consortium, which includes its streaming business Tencent Music Entertainment Group and other undisclosed investors, first bought a 10% stake in Universal. That deal included an option to buy an additional stake of up to 10% at the same valuation.

Tencent and Vivendi also signed a separate agreement in March enabling Tencent Music to acquire a minority stake in the Universal subsidiary that owns the record label’s Greater China operations.

The Chinese company also earlier this year purchased a small stake in Warner Music Group Corp. , home to stars including Cardi B, Ed Sheeran and Lizzo.

Vivendi said Friday that it hoped Tencent’s interest in Universal would enable the business to further develop its activities in Asia and that they would work together to broaden opportunities for artists.

Universal has in recent years proved a bright spot for Vivendi, which also owns the Canal+ TV company. That is partly because owning and selling the rights to music has become more valuable as revenue from music streaming on services such as Spotify Technology SA and Apple Inc.’s Apple Music has grown.

Following the latest Tencent deal, the French media conglomerate said it would now seek to sell additional minority interests in Universal, which it plans to list on the stock market by 2022 at the latest.