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Times Music, owned by The Times Group, has acquired Catrack Entertainment, marking its third catalogue buy and deepening its bet on regional music IP through its partnership with Primary Wave Music.
The acquisition brings into Times Music’s fold a legacy Punjabi catalogue dating back to the 1990s, widely regarded as a formative period for the genre’s commercial rise. Founded in 1990, Catrack Entertainment built a strong roster during Punjabi music’s golden era, working with artists such as Babbu Maan, Malkit Singh, Channi Singh and Dolly Singh, while also backing early-stage talent including Manmohan Waris, Surjit Khan and Sukhwinder Panchhi.
The company said the catalogue’s continued digital traction and cultural recall open up monetisation opportunities across sync licensing, film and OTT integrations, brand partnerships and reinterpretations for newer audiences.
Also Read:Mega deals less likely, but media M&A show to stay strong in 2026
The deal follows Times Music’s earlier acquisitions of ARC Musicq and Symphony Recording Co., signalling a clear roll-up strategy focused on regional and legacy catalogues. Industry executives say the company is increasingly positioning itself as a reliable “deal closer” in a fragmented Indian music IP market.
Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, said the acquisition aligns with the company’s long-standing focus on cultural storytelling. “With the acquisition of Catrack, Times Music reaffirms its commitment to preserving and amplifying the rich heritage of Punjabi music globally,” he said.
Mandar Thakur, CEO of Times Music, described the catalogue as “a cultural treasure” and said the deal strengthens the company’s efforts to revive and monetise iconic Indian music assets.
Gaurav Trehan, director at Catrack Entertainment, said Times Music’s execution speed and strategic fit made it the right partner to carry forward the label’s legacy.
David Loiterton, President, Indo & Asia Pacific at Primary Wave Music, said the acquisition reflects a shared focus on “iconic music IP that can transcend generations and cultures,” adding that the partnership would help take the catalogue to new global audiences.
Also Read: Zee Entertainment to invest up to Rs 116 crore in VFX studio PhantomFX
Times Music, a joint venture between The Times Group and Primary Wave Music, has been scaling its catalogue and artist management business since the partnership was formed. The company operates across recorded music, publishing, brand solutions and talent management, with a catalogue spanning over three decades.
The latest acquisition strengthens its position in Punjabi music, where it already has a global distribution tie-up with Speed Records, and underscores a broader push to consolidate high-value regional catalogues amid rising global demand for Indian music.
The acquisition brings into Times Music’s fold a legacy Punjabi catalogue dating back to the 1990s, widely regarded as a formative period for the genre’s commercial rise. Founded in 1990, Catrack Entertainment built a strong roster during Punjabi music’s golden era, working with artists such as Babbu Maan, Malkit Singh, Channi Singh and Dolly Singh, while also backing early-stage talent including Manmohan Waris, Surjit Khan and Sukhwinder Panchhi.
The company said the catalogue’s continued digital traction and cultural recall open up monetisation opportunities across sync licensing, film and OTT integrations, brand partnerships and reinterpretations for newer audiences.
Also Read:Mega deals less likely, but media M&A show to stay strong in 2026
The deal follows Times Music’s earlier acquisitions of ARC Musicq and Symphony Recording Co., signalling a clear roll-up strategy focused on regional and legacy catalogues. Industry executives say the company is increasingly positioning itself as a reliable “deal closer” in a fragmented Indian music IP market.
Vineet Jain, Managing Director of The Times Group, said the acquisition aligns with the company’s long-standing focus on cultural storytelling. “With the acquisition of Catrack, Times Music reaffirms its commitment to preserving and amplifying the rich heritage of Punjabi music globally,” he said.
Mandar Thakur, CEO of Times Music, described the catalogue as “a cultural treasure” and said the deal strengthens the company’s efforts to revive and monetise iconic Indian music assets.
Gaurav Trehan, director at Catrack Entertainment, said Times Music’s execution speed and strategic fit made it the right partner to carry forward the label’s legacy.
David Loiterton, President, Indo & Asia Pacific at Primary Wave Music, said the acquisition reflects a shared focus on “iconic music IP that can transcend generations and cultures,” adding that the partnership would help take the catalogue to new global audiences.
Also Read: Zee Entertainment to invest up to Rs 116 crore in VFX studio PhantomFX
Times Music, a joint venture between The Times Group and Primary Wave Music, has been scaling its catalogue and artist management business since the partnership was formed. The company operates across recorded music, publishing, brand solutions and talent management, with a catalogue spanning over three decades.
The latest acquisition strengthens its position in Punjabi music, where it already has a global distribution tie-up with Speed Records, and underscores a broader push to consolidate high-value regional catalogues amid rising global demand for Indian music.
