Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (sometimes known as Sony Music or by the initials, SME) is an American music corporation managed and operated by Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Sony Corporation. In 1929, the enterprise was first founded as American Record Corporation (ARC) and, in 1938, was renamed Columbia Recording Corporation, following ARC's acquisition by CBS. In 1966, the company was reorganized to become CBS Records. In 1987, Sony Corporation of Japan bought the company, and in 1991, renamed it SME. It is the world's second largest recorded music company, after Universal Music Group. 

In 2004, SME and Bertelsmann Music Group merged as Sony BMG Music Entertainment. When Sony acquired BMG's half of the conglomerate in 2008, Sony BMG reverted to the SME name. The buyout led to the dissolution of BMG, which then relaunched as BMG Rights Management. Out of the "Big Three" record companies, with Universal Music Group being the largest and Warner Music Group, SME is middle-sized.
What company is the article about
What country are they out of
What year were they founded
What was the original name
What year did this change
What was the new name
What year did CBS obtain it
What were they called then
What year did Sony Corporation of Japan purchase it
What did they rename it
Are they the largest music group
Who is the largest
Who did SME merge with in 2004
What were they called after the merger
What year did Sony acquire BMG's half of the conglomerate
Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
Sony Music Entertainment Inc.
American
Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (sometimes known as Sony Music or by the initials, SME) is an American music corporation
1929
In 1929, the enterprise was first founded
ARC
In 1929, the enterprise was first founded as American Record Corporation (ARC)
1938
 in 1938, was renamed Columbia Recording Corporation
Columbia Recording Corporation
in 1938, was renamed Columbia Recording Corporation
1966
1966, the company was reorganized to become CBS Records
CBS Records
1966, the company was reorganized to become CBS Records
1987
In 1987, Sony Corporation of Japan bought the company
SME
In 1987, Sony Corporation of Japan bought the company, and in 1991, renamed it SME
No
 Out of the "Big Three" record companies, with Universal Music Group being the largest and Warner Music Group, SME is middle-sized.
Universal Music Group
Out of the "Big Three" record companies, with Universal Music Group being the largest
Bertelsmann Music Group
In 2004, SME and Bertelsmann Music Group merged as Sony BMG Music Entertainment
Sony BMG Music Entertainment
In 2004, SME and Bertelsmann Music Group merged as Sony BMG Music Entertainment
2008
When Sony acquired BMG's half of the conglomerate in 2008