Create’s $300M Power Play: The Bold Buyout Fueling Nettwerk’s New Era

The independent music sector just received a massive injection of adrenaline. On February 6, Create Music Group (CMG) announced a definitive agreement to fuel a management buyout of the legendary Vancouver-based Nettwerk Music Group. The deal involves an immediate $300 million investment, marking a “strategic reload” for one of the most respected names in the business.

The Architecture of Independence

In an era where “partnership” often sounds like a euphemism for “absorption,” this deal strikes a different chord. The capital from Create allows Nettwerk’s management team—led by co-founder and CEO Terry McBride—to significantly increase their ownership stake and buy out existing institutional investors.

The move ensures that Nettwerk, the label that once helped launch Coldplay and Sarah McLachlan, retains its distinct Canadian identity and creative autonomy. While Create Capital will take a controlling position in the music IP portfolio, the day-to-day operations, artist development, and signings remain firmly in the hands of the veteran team that built the brand.

A Growth Machine Recharged

For Create Music Group, this isn’t just a passive investment; it’s a play to integrate Nettwerk’s prestigious catalog into its high-tech infrastructure.

The Resources: Nettwerk will now tap into Create’s global distribution network, data tools, and marketing services.
The Future: Create has pledged substantial “follow-on capital,” giving Nettwerk a war chest to continue signing artists like Passenger and Paris Paloma.
The Synergy: CMG CEO Jonathan Strauss framed the move as putting “all resources at our disposal” behind McBride’s team to fuel global growth.

The New Indie Standard

The partnership highlights a shifting reality in 2026: independence no longer means staying small. Backed by a parent company that was recently valued at over $1 billion, Nettwerk is proving that labels can scale globally without losing their “artist-first” soul. As McBride puts it, this chapter is about staying true to their roots while building a foundation that provides more value to creators than ever before. In a week of major industry consolidations, Nettwerk is betting that the best way to lead the future is to own it.