There was a nice article about what Sony as a whole has acquired in the last 5 years. Can't find it anymore :/
Some examples for Sony Music:
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Acquires "EMI Music Publishing" in 2018 for $2.3 billion to become the largest music publisher in the world
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Acquires "Milan Records" and "Jade" in 2019
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Acquires majority stake in "Senbla" in 2019
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Acquires "RGL" in 2018
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Acquires "Araca Group's" Music Merchandise Division in 2019
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Acquires Kontraband in 2019
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Acquires "Ministry of Sound" in 2016 for $100 million
And this goes on and on. Acquisitions, joint-ventures, minority stake acquisitions, etc. Deals with labels, music stars and other companies not included.
Some examples for Sony Pictures:
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Acquires "Funimation" in 2017 for $150 million
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Acquires "Manga Entertainment" in 2019
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Acquires "Eleven" in 2020
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Acquires "Silvergate Media" in 2019 for $195 million
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Acquires AT&T's stake in "Game Show Network" in 2019 for $500 million (now owns 100% of the company)
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Acquires "Ten Sports" in 2016 for $385 million
- Acquires "Madman's" Anime Division in 2019 for ~$25 million
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Acquires in "Nurulize" 2019
And this goes on and on, too . Acquisitions, joint-ventures, minority stake acquisitions, etc. Deals with cable/streaming companies, etc.
Then there are other examples like "
Sony acquiring full control of the Financial Unit for $3.7 billion in 2020". And many more acquititions and additions for Sony Electronics, SCA, the Semiconductor Solutions Group, etc.
Sony Interactive Entertainment's acquisitions in the last ~8 years (more than the complete PS4 generation):
- Insominac Games in 2019 for $229 million
- Audiokinetic in 2019
Closed 1st party studios by Sony in the last 8 years:
- Manchester Studio (2020)
- Cambridge Studio (2017)
- Evolution Studios (2016)
- Sony Online Entertainment (Sold - 2015)
- Zipper Interactive (2012)
- Studio Liverpool (2012)
- Bigbig Studios (2012)
That's it. 8 years and barely any acquisitions for Sony's biggest cash cow SIE/PlayStation. More closures than acquisitions. At least they finally brought Insomniac home. Regarding bigger acquisitions, don't forget how
Sony was interested in buying Fox, or how Sony was once interested in buying MGM for $5 billion, etc.
So say what you want, but it's time for Sony to invest big in SIE. Especially now after Amazon, Facebook, Apple and Google are lurking and while Microsoft has almost ten 1st party studios more and Nintendo is stronger than ever with the Switch (especially in Japan). Sony needs to invest and get more studios. And they should strengthen SIE in Japan, too.
My opinion? Go big and get Square-Enix.