to form Thorn EMI Ltd. In August 1996, The corporation was split into two independently operating companies, EMI Group and Thorn plc and listed on the British Stock Exchange. In June 1992, Thorn EMI acquired the independent label Virgin Records, for a purchase price of US$957 million, ending intense competition for the company, which had many best-selling musical artists under contract.

In January 1994, another independent German company was added, with which