BMLG Inks Direct Licensing Deal with Cox Media Group

Big Machine Label Group and Cox Media Group (CMG) have partnered for a revenue sharing deal that includes both broadcast and digital plays. Big Machine and its artists are the first record label to secure a direct licensing deal with Cox Media Group.

Under Big Machine Label Group’s wholly-owned imprints Big Machine Records and The Valory Music Co., artists such as Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Reba, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert and Thomas Rhett will benefit from this agreement.

“This agreement represents an exciting opportunity for Cox Media Group to work together with Big Machine and their artists,” CMG President Bill Hoffman said. “We believe that partnering directly with a label across our broadcast and digital platforms is mutually beneficial. We will ultimately enhance the opportunities for our fans, listeners, and our respective companies.”

“Bill Hoffman and [CMG’s Executive VP of Radio] Kim Guthrie have done an incredible job with the Cox Media Group by simultaneously building and preserving their great radio station brands while also re-imagining what the future of broadcasting is going to be. Their station apps are among the very best,” Big Machine Label Group President and CEO Scott Borchetta said. “Big Machine understands that a forward move in the digital broadcasting space is a must to get ahead of the many opportunities that a digital dashboard and other digital initiatives are going to bring. We are thrilled to continue to elevate our partnership with this incredible company as the broadcasting sea change continues.”

Cox Media Group owns some of the nation’s top country stations, including KKBQ in Houston, Orlando’s WWKA, San Antonio’s Y100 KCYY, Dayton’s WHKO, Tulsa’s KWEN and Athens’ WNGC.