Sony Music Announcements

Sony Completes Acquisition of Bertelsmann’s 50% Stake in Sony BMG

Music Company Becomes Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America

New York, October 1, 2008 - Sony Corporation today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Bertelsmann’s 50% stake in Sony BMG, which was originally announced on August 5, 2008. The music company, to be called Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (SMEI), is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

SMEI is comprised of premier music labels such as: Arista Records, Columbia Records, Epic Records, J Records, Jive Records, RCA Records, and Zomba. Key recording artists include Celine Dion, Alicia Keys, Yo-Yo Ma, Bruce Springsteen, Justin Timberlake, Usher and Jay Chou.

About Sony Corporation

Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and on-line businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $88.7 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008. Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/

Acquisition of Shares in BMG Japan Inc. by Sony Music Entertainment Japan Inc.

Sony Music Entertainment Japan Inc. (“SMEJ”) today announced that it has agreed to acquire outstanding shares in BMG Japan Inc. (“BMGJ”) These shares were previously held by the Sony BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT group (“SONY BMG”) which has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation (“Sony”) following Sony’s purchase of Bertelsmann AG’s stake in SONY BMG.

BMGJ has contractual relationships with many major Japanese and international artists, including Kazumasa Oda, Shikao Suga, SEAMO, MISIA, Takako Matsu, The Cromagnons and sukimaswitch, and Avril Lavigne, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Leona Lowis and Usher, and also possesses an outstanding staff of entertainment industry specialists. SMEJ has a well-established infrastructure and wide-ranging resources that support its entertainment business operations.

Going forward, SMEJ will align and optimize SMEJ and BMGJ’s operations to enhance efficiency and establish a structure that maximizes both companies’ wide array of music assets with the aim of remaining competitive in the market and contributing to further Japanese music industry growth.