Times Music Expands Its Horizons with Catrack Entertainment Acquisition
A Strategic Move in Music Acquisition
In a significant milestone for its growth strategy, Times Music, part of The Times Group, has announced the acquisition of Catrack Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. This marks the third strategic acquisition for the company and enhances its collaboration with Primary Wave Music. The deal brings a culturally rich Punjabi music catalogue into its portfolio, opening doors for global exploration and commercial opportunities.
Insights into the Acquisition
Established in 1990, Catrack Entertainment has been a pioneering force in Punjabi music, contributing significantly to the genre's development. Its collection from the 'golden era' features celebrated artists like Babbu Maan, Malkit Singh, Channi Singh, and Dolly Singh, while also supporting emerging talents such as Manmohan Waris and Sukhwinder Panchhi. With a strong digital footprint and cultural relevance, this catalogue offers vast potential for sync licensing, film and OTT projects, brand collaborations, and contemporary reinterpretations.
This acquisition follows Times Music's earlier purchases of ARC Musicq and Symphony Recording Co., establishing the company as a key player in securing valuable music assets.
Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, expressed, “We have always championed the voices that shape India's cultural narrative, and acquiring Catrack reinforces our commitment to promoting Punjabi music on a global scale.”
Mandar Thakur, CEO of Times Music, added, “The Catrack catalogue is a treasure that has defined an era for Punjabi music lovers. This acquisition strengthens our mission to preserve and rejuvenate India's most iconic music and artists.”
Gaurav Trehan, Director of Catrack Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., stated, “Times Music is the ideal partner to protect the legacy of Catrack's music, and their professionalism in completing this acquisition is commendable.”
David Loiterton, President of Indo & Asia Pacific at Primary Wave Music, remarked, “We are excited to integrate Catrack's legendary music into our partnership with Times Music. Catrack represents our goal of acquiring unique, iconic music that resonates across generations and cultures, and we look forward to introducing this music to new audiences globally.”
About Times Music
Times Music is a leading Indian music entertainment entity situated at the intersection of music, audiences, South-Asian culture, and artist collaborations. Based in Mumbai, it operates as a joint venture between The Times Group and Primary Wave Music, a prominent independent music publisher. This partnership has enabled impactful global marketing and artist access.
The company comprises four divisions: a record label, music publishing, brand solutions, and artist management. With a diverse music catalogue that spans over 35 years, Times Music is a significant player in the Punjabi and South-Indian music scenes, holding an exclusive global distribution agreement with Speed Records, the top Punjabi music label.
Recently, Times Music's artist Kunwarr achieved over 36 million streams for his song 'Picche Tere', marking it as one of the year's standout releases. In the last two years, the company has made significant acquisitions, including Symphony Recording Co. and ARC Musicq, while expanding its consumer brand music solutions and artist management, featuring talents like Deedar Kaur and Aarya. With Catrack now part of its roster, Times Music solidifies its status as the premier destination for Indian music across various genres.
About Primary Wave Music
Primary Wave Music is a leading independent publisher of iconic music worldwide, representing legendary songwriters, artists, and record labels throughout music history. The company’s roster includes renowned figures such as Bob Marley, Prince, and Whitney Houston, among many others. Since its inception in 2006, Primary Wave has embraced an entrepreneurial approach, executing innovative marketing campaigns and nurturing emerging talent to become future legends. The company is dedicated to excellence in acquiring iconic artists and catalogs that not only showcase great artistry but also influence culture.