What C Major Entertainment Gmbh does

C Major Entertainment GmbH is a Berlin-based B2B content licensing and distribution company founded in 2006 by Elmar Kruse. It specializes in audiovisual programs across the performing arts, including opera, ballet, concerts and music documentaries, and curates a catalog of more than 4,500 titles drawn from venues such as the Salzburg Festival, Bayreuth Festival, La Scala and Arena di Verona.

The company monetizes its catalog through multi-territory distribution to television broadcasters (ZDF, 3sat, ARTE, NHK), VOD platforms, cinema operators, and physical media in DVD, Blu-ray and 4K UHD formats. It maintains long-running co-production partnerships with Unitel, Deutsche Grammophon and other classical and popular-music rights-holders, and has begun extending beyond classical performing arts into popular music programming (for example, Le Gala de Pièces jaunes with artists including Christina Aguilera and G-Dragon).

Operationally, C Major functions as a boutique, founder-led licensing business: a single named CEO, recurring catalog cycles (e.g., Unitel MMM Programme and AP 2026), and limited disclosed information on headcount or capital structure. Its go-to-market is partnership-driven rather than self-distribution, relying on the global reach of public-service broadcasters, premium labels and physical-media retail channels to reach both institutional audiences and individual collectors.

Name

C Major Entertainment Gmbh

Legal name

C Major Entertainment GmbH

Website

https://cmajor-entertainment.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

C Major Entertainment GmbH is a Berlin-based B2B licensor and distributor of audiovisual performing-arts programs, curating 4,500+ titles for broadcasters, VOD platforms, cinemas and physical-media buyers across global markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audiovisual Music Distribution & Licensing

NAICS

Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Alternative Content Exhibition (Live Broadcasts, Concert Films, Sports, Opera) (MPADAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Program Format Licensing (Scripted & Unscripted) (MPABANAA)

Keywords

• Audiovisual music licensing
• Classical music distribution
• Performing arts content
• Concert film production
• Physical media distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Licensing: Licensing of audiovisual music programs (operas, ballets, concerts, documentaries) to TV broadcasters, VOD platforms, and cinema operators worldwide. With over 4,500 titles available.
2. Physical Media Sales: DVD and Blu-ray releases sold directly to consumers and through retail channels. Must-have releases for music fans and collectors.
3. Production Services: Developing new production ideas in cooperation with international partners, combining experience with latest industry trends.
4. Consulting: Consulting services for companies needing to develop or implement audiovisual strategies.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

C Major Entertainment GmbH produces, licenses, and distributes audiovisual music and performing arts programs—including operas, ballets, concerts, and music documentaries—to TV broadcasters, VOD platforms, cinema operators, and airlines worldwide through a catalog of over 4,500 titles. The company also sells DVD and Blu-ray physical releases to consumers and collectors, and develops new productions in cooperation with international broadcasters and labels. Complementary consulting services support clients in audiovisual strategy development.

Product overview

C Major Entertainment GmbH operates as a world-leading provider of audiovisual music and performing arts programs, functioning as a B2B content licensing and distribution company. The core offering consists of Programs (a catalog of operas, ballets, concerts, and documentaries available for licensing) and Releases (DVD/Blu-ray physical media). With over 4,500 titles available for licensing, the company combines licensing services, production development, and consulting into an integrated content business. The company produces new content in partnership with international broadcasters and festivals, and distributes physical media (DVD, Blu-ray, 4K UHD) to collectors and music fans. Catalogs are published annually (MMM Programme, Unitel AP, Popular Music, Classical Music, Premium AP, DCD) to showcase offerings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Programs (Licensing Catalog) A catalog of audiovisual music and performing arts programs—including concerts, operas, ballets, and music documentaries—available for licensing to TV broadcasters, VOD platforms, cinema operators, and airlines. The catalog contains over 4,500 titles featuring legendary artists from both present and past, sourced from prestigious festivals and stages worldwide.
• DVD and Blu-ray Releases Physical media releases in DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K UHD formats distributed from prestigious festivals and stages directly to music fans and collectors. Available through major music retailers (e.g., JPC) and the company's direct e-commerce storefront.
• Content Licensing Service Licensing service offering over 4,500 audiovisual titles for exploitation across TV broadcast, VOD, cinema, in-flight entertainment, and all digital channels. The catalog is constantly updated with new iconic performances and adapted to evolving digital distribution landscapes.
• Production Development Development of new audiovisual music productions in cooperation with international partners, combining established industry experience with the latest production and distribution trends. Includes co-productions with broadcasters and labels such as Unitel, ZDF, ARTE, NHK, 3sat, and Deutsche Grammophon.
• Audiovisual Consulting Consulting services for companies needing to develop or implement audiovisual strategies, drawing on C Major Entertainment's deep industry connections and experience in classical music and performing arts content distribution.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• UnitelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor co-production partner for opera and concert productions. Multiple joint productions including Giulio Cesare in Egitto (UNITEL and ORF co-production), Hotel Metamorphosis (UNITEL and Bayerischer Rundfunk), and other major releases.
• ZDFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman public broadcaster co-producing major classical music productions including The Nutcracker (ARTE, Bel Air Media, NHK, ZDF), Hotel Metamorphosis, and numerous other releases.
• 3satmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman-language public broadcaster cooperating on co-productions including Giulio Cesare in Egitto, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (with BR KLASSIK, 3sat and Deutsche Grammophon).
• ARTEmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean cultural channel co-producing classical music productions including Hotel Metamorphosis (with UNITEL and Bayerischer Rundfunk), The Nutcracker, and Virtuoso & Viral.
• NHKmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJapanese public broadcaster co-producing The Nutcracker (with ARTE, Bel Air Media, ZDF) and Maria Stuarda (with ORF, NHK and UNITEL).
• Deutsche GrammophonmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's leading classical music label co-producing Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Bayreuth Festival 2025 production with BF MEDIEN GmbH in cooperation with BR KLASSIK, 3sat and Deutsche Grammophon).
• Bel Air MediamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench production company co-producing The Nutcracker (with ARTE, NHK, ZDF) and Nureyev (with ZDF).
• FilmCollectminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner whose logo appears in the footer. Affiliated distribution channel for classical music releases.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• EuroArts Music International: EuroArts Music is a Berlin-based producer and distributor of classical music, opera, and concert films for TV and home video. Direct peer: comparable content focus (classical performing arts on film), same physical media and broadcaster licensing business model, same geographic core (Germany/Europe).
• Dynamic s.r.l. Dynamic is a classical music and jazz record label/AV distributor based in Italy, producing and distributing classical performance DVDs and digital content. Direct peer: comparable classical music video catalog, physical media retail channel, and broadcaster licensing focus.
• Arthaus Musik: Arthaus Musik is a classical music DVD/Blu-ray label distributed by Naxos, with deep opera, ballet, and concert film catalog. Direct peer: same physical media channel and collector audience; similar premium classical performance catalog.
• Bel Air Media: Bel Air Media is a French audiovisual production company specializing in classical music, dance, and performing arts content for international broadcasters. Direct peer: co-produces ballet and opera productions with C Major (e.g., The Nutcracker, Nureyev) and serves overlapping broadcaster customers.
• Medici.tv: Medici.tv is a Paris-based streaming platform dedicated to classical music concerts, operas, and documentaries. Direct peer: overlaps significantly on catalog content (classical performing arts), target audience, and B2B distribution to educational and broadcast partners; differs primarily in D2C streaming vs. physical/licensing.
• Unitel GmbH & Co. KG: Unitel is a Munich-based classical music and opera audiovisual production and distribution company, supplying concert and opera films to broadcasters worldwide. Direct peer: both produce and license classical performing arts audiovisual content to the same public-broadcaster customer base, and frequently co-produce with C Major.

Broad incumbents

• Sony Classical / Sony Music Masterworks: Sony Classical is a major record label with an extensive classical catalog and significant audiovisual licensing operations. Broad incumbent: competes with C Major for premium classical rights and broadcaster co-production deals, with a much larger parent (Sony Music).
• Warner Classics: Warner Classics is a major classical music label with a deep historical catalog and rights licensing operations. Broad incumbent: comparable catalog and licensing business model, but as part of the much larger Warner Music Group with broader genres and distribution scale.
• Naxos Group: Naxos is one of the world's largest classical music labels, with distribution across physical, digital, and rights licensing, and owns Arthaus Musik. Broad incumbent: operates a much larger catalog and distribution footprint than C Major, with overlapping classical content and physical media channels.
• BBC Studios Documentary Unit (Classical): BBC Studios produces and licenses classical music programming (Proms, etc.) for global broadcasters and digital platforms. Broad incumbent: broader portfolio, but the classical music licensing arm competes directly with C Major for broadcaster budgets and co-production partnerships.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/CMajorEntertainment
• Facebookfacebook.com/CmajorEntertainment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/c-major-entertainment-gmbh
• Instagraminstagram.com/cmajor_entertainment

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about C Major Entertainment Gmbh