New Music Business Briefing For 2/20/07: WMG Wants EMI, Sirius Buys XM, Sony BMG Layoffs Loom & Much More

Yesterday may have been a holiday for some, but there was still plenty of major new music business news:

>>> A struggling EMI is being approached by WMG again about a takeover or merger. The news caused EMI’s battered stock to jump but any deal faces EU regulatory hurdles.

>>> Rival sattelite networks Sirius and XM have agreed to merge with Sirius offering XM stock holders a a premium price.  But major regulatory hurdles loom with both the FCC who would have to overturn a previous ruling and the Department of Justice over potential antitrust issues.

>>> Rumors are growing that there will be big layoffs soon at Sony BMG. Most are centered around a combining of the Columbia and Epic labels much like the recent Virgin Capital coupling.

>>> Ringtone pioneers like Zingy and Dwango are scrambling to make the transition from a dieing polyphonic ringtone market to master ringtones and full song downloads. (Reuters)

>>> A YouTube plan to offer filtering software only to companies that have content deals with the company is drawing industry fire.

>>> Apple and Cisco continue discussion over iPhone name. (AP)

>>> David Crosby is ill postponing upcoming Crosby, Stills, and Nash tour.