Warner Chappell Music Enters India Market With Direct Operations

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has officially launched direct operations in India, marking a significant shift from its earlier sub-publishing model to a full-fledged, on-ground presence. The move is set to provide Indian songwriters with deeper access to the company’s global creative network and advanced rights management ecosystem.

The expansion brings leadership continuity, with Jay Mehta,currently Managing Director of Warner Music India,stepping in to head the publishing division alongside his existing role. In his expanded capacity, Mehta will oversee both recorded music and publishing operations across India and neighbouring South Asian markets, creating a unified structure that integrates master recordings and compositions under one leadership umbrella.

Mehta will report jointly to Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO of WCM, and Lo Ting-Fai (Lofai), President of Warner Music APAC.

The launch comes amid rapid growth in India’s music economy. According to CISAC, domestic creator collections rose to ?7 billion (approximately $75 million) in 2024, reflecting a 42% year-on-year increase. Meanwhile, IFPI ranks India as the world’s 15th largest recorded music market.

The country’s music landscape is also undergoing a structural shift. Bollywood, once accounting for nearly 80% of digital consumption, now contributes less than half, as independent and non-film music continues to gain ground. Domestic repertoire dominates streaming, making up 89% of consumption, while the market steadily transitions from ad-supported listening to paid subscription models.

As part of its India expansion, WCM will offer songwriters access to high-end studio facilities at its Mumbai headquarters,positioning Warner Music Group (WMG) as the only major label in India with a localized, advanced creative hub of this scale.

The shift to direct operations is expected to enhance WCM’s service capabilities, including creative support, rights administration, and digital licensing. Indian songwriters and catalog partners will also gain access to the company’s proprietary tools such as Global Match, an AI-powered royalty matching system, alongside the Client Portal and Pulse app, which provide real-time insights into earnings and catalog performance.

Commenting on the development, Mehta said the move aims to “bridge the gap between local brilliance and global opportunity,” adding that Indian creators will now benefit from global-scale resources and reach.

WCM’s global leadership echoed this sentiment, with Carianne Marshall and Moot highlighting India’s growing importance as both a talent hub and a key publishing market.

Robert Kyncl, CEO of WMG, described India as central to the company’s global growth strategy, noting that integrating publishing and recorded music under Mehta’s leadership creates a “unified powerhouse” for creators and audiences alike.

The launch underscores WMG’s intent to deepen its investment in India’s fast-evolving music ecosystem, as the country emerges as a significant force in the global music industry.