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Paramount Music

Paramount Music is the in-house record label of Paramount Pictures, a division of Paramount Global, specializing in the release of soundtracks and original music from the studio's films and television productions. Launched in 2015, the label manages music assets across Paramount's various divisions, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television Studios, and the Paramount+ streaming service, with distribution handled through partners like TuneCore. Notable releases include the Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack, featuring original songs like Lady Gaga's "Hold My Hand" alongside classic tracks such as Kenny Loggins' "Danger Zone," which contributed to the film's global box office success exceeding $1.4 billion. Similarly, the label has overseen scores for the Mission: Impossible franchise, including Lorne Balfe's composition for Mission: Impossible – Fallout, blending high-octane orchestral elements with electronic motifs to complement the action sequences. Beyond major blockbusters, Paramount Music also handles television soundtracks, promoting new and legacy content through platforms like Spotify and YouTube. The label's role extends to music supervision and publishing, ensuring cohesive audio experiences that enhance storytelling in Paramount's diverse portfolio, from animated features like The Smurfs Movie to horror entries such as Smile. Under leadership figures like former President Randy Spendlove, Paramount Music has emphasized innovative collaborations, including Grammy-winning productions that integrate contemporary artists with cinematic scores. As part of Skydance Media—following the 2025 merger with Paramount Global, which was formed by the 2022 rebranding of ViacomCBS—the label continues to evolve amid industry shifts toward streaming and global distribution.

History

Establishment

Paramount Music was established in 2015 as the second in-house for , reviving the name previously used by the studio's short-lived soundtrack and imprint from 1969 to 1974. The label was created to centralize the release of music tied to Paramount's productions, serving as a dedicated outlet under the ViacomCBS umbrella at the time. From its inception, Paramount Music focused on distributing film and television soundtracks across Paramount's key divisions, including , , and , with an emphasis on both new scores and archival material. Headquartered at Paramount's historic studio lot at 5555 Melrose Avenue in , California, the label began operations amid a broader push to integrate music assets within the studio's . Early releases in 2016 included reissued soundtracks for classic Paramount films, such as the restored score for , marking the label's entry into the market with a blend of legacy and contemporary content. Other initial efforts encompassed scores from recent Paramount titles, like expanded editions for the series, helping to build a catalog that incorporated original compositions, compilations, and themed collections. The label's development aligned with corporate changes, evolving under ViacomCBS—rebranded as in February 2022 to emphasize its streaming and content ambitions—before integrating into the expanded portfolio following Skydance Media's acquisition of , completed in August 2025. This progression reinforced Paramount Music's role in leveraging the studio's intellectual properties for audio releases, maintaining historical continuity while adapting to modern .

Predecessor label

Paramount Records was established in January 1969 by Gulf+Western Industries, the parent company of , as an in-house label primarily dedicated to releasing soundtracks from Paramount films alongside select and reissues from the catalog. The label operated under the administration of , focusing on movie tie-ins such as orchestral scores and cast recordings, with only limited signings of non-soundtrack artists like and . Distribution was handled directly by Famous Music, a Gulf+Western subsidiary based in . Key activities centered on capitalizing on Paramount's film productions, exemplified by releases like the Paint Your Wagon soundtrack conducted by in 1969, featuring songs performed by , , and , and The Molly Maguires score by in 1970. Other notable outputs included Love Story in 1970 and The Godfather in 1972, composed by and conducted by . The label's catalog emphasized orchestral film scores by prominent composers, including early reissues of Elmer Bernstein's work such as the 1956 The Ten Commandments soundtrack. Over its five-year run, Paramount Records produced approximately 130 albums across various series, though soundtrack-specific releases numbered around 20–30, reflecting a niche focus amid broader industry trends favoring consolidated major labels for music distribution. Operations wound down in 1974 when the label, along with , was sold to , amid shifting market dynamics that reduced demand for standalone physical soundtrack albums. The original label's in-house model for film music releases provided a foundational precedent for Paramount Music's 2015 revival, although the modern entity does not inherit the 1969–1974 catalog, which remains under ownership.

Organization and operations

Leadership and distribution

As of November 2025, Paramount Music operates under the leadership structure established following the August 2025 merger between and , with serving as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the combined entity, Paramount Skydance. Music initiatives across the company, including soundtrack production and artist relations, are overseen by Bruce Gillmer, who holds the role of President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events, and continues to guide strategic decisions such as pausing major events like the 2025 amid post-merger optimizations. For motion picture soundtracks specifically, the division was previously led by Randy Spendlove as President of Worldwide Music until his departure during October 2025 layoffs, leaving a transitional period for replacement in soundtrack oversight. The in-house team at Paramount Music remains compact, emphasizing A&R for media-tied releases and coordination with external composers, orchestras, and licensing partners, without significant focus on standalone artist development. Rochelle Holguin Cappello serves as Senior of Creative Music Strategy, leading efforts in , library curation, and integration across Paramount's content. Distribution for Paramount Music releases primarily occurs through digital platforms such as , , and , facilitated by the label's integration within ' infrastructure. Physical releases for select titles are managed via partnerships with distributors such as , leveraging their global network for manufacturing and retail.) As a imprint under Paramount Skydance, Paramount Music generates revenue through streaming royalties, synchronization licensing for media, and ancillary merchandise tied to film and TV properties, with operational budgets aligned to parent company production expenditures rather than independent label investments. Following the 2022 rebranding from ViacomCBS to and the 2025 Skydance merger, the label has bolstered its digital footprint, including maintenance of the official website at music.paramount.com for release catalogs and an expanded presence on and via branded playlists and channels.

Focus and scope

Paramount Music operates as the dedicated in-house for soundtracks and original scores tied exclusively to film and television properties owned by , eschewing standalone artist albums unless they are intrinsically linked to specific media projects. This narrow scope ensures a tight alignment with Paramount's cinematic and televised output, prioritizing audio elements that enhance narrative storytelling rather than broad commercial music ventures. The label's genre palette is dominated by orchestral compositions for high-stakes action and dramatic narratives, exemplified by sweeping symphonic works in franchises like Transformers, alongside pop and rock-infused compilations tailored to comedic and coming-of-age tales, and whimsical scores for animated and family-friendly content such as those from integrations. Occasional ventures into and R&B underscore urban or youth-oriented themes, as seen in curated selections for projects like . This selective emphasis maintains a conceptual focus on synergy between music and visuals, drawing from Paramount's signature slate including , Transformers, and , while limiting coverage of acquired libraries like or to sequel-driven releases only. In terms of strategic priorities, Paramount Music leverages deep integration with the platform to amplify reach, curating thematic playlists such as "Paramount Scares" for horror enthusiasts and fostering cross-media ties, including soundscapes that bridge animation with broader entertainment ecosystems. Distribution is facilitated through , enabling efficient digital rollout across global platforms.

Releases

Film soundtracks

Paramount Music, the in-house of , has released soundtracks for over 50 films since its establishment in 2015, encompassing a diverse array of cinematic projects through 2025. These releases primarily feature original scores and selected songs tailored to blockbuster features, with a strong emphasis on high-profile , , and franchise installments. The label's catalog reflects Paramount's production output, which included approximately 10–15 theatrical releases annually during this period, many of which received dedicated soundtrack distributed via platforms and physical formats. Early notable releases highlighted the label's focus on suspenseful thrillers and action epics. The soundtrack for – Fallout (2018), composed by , featured dynamic orchestral cues interpolating Lalo Schifrin's iconic theme, underscoring the film's high-stakes espionage sequences and achieving strong digital sales upon its July 2018 release. Similarly, (2018) boasted a tense, minimalist score by , emphasizing subtle percussion and strings to amplify the elements, with the album released in April 2018 to critical acclaim for its atmospheric restraint. These early efforts established Paramount Music's role in amplifying narrative tension through bespoke compositions. Mid-period highlights from 2020–2023 showcased escalating commercial success and franchise expansion. (2022) marked a pinnacle, with its score co-composed by , , and , alongside original songs like Lady Gaga's "Hold My Hand," blending retro synths with modern orchestration; the album, released in May 2022, surpassed 2 billion streams on by mid-2025, dominating charts and underscoring the film's box-office dominance. (2022), scored by (Junkie XL), incorporated energetic electronic and rock elements to match the animated adventure's pace, with its April 2022 release further solidifying the label's animation portfolio. These titles exemplified a trend toward hybrid scores that integrated legacy motifs with contemporary production. Recent releases in 2024–2025 continued this momentum, prioritizing sequels and reboots. (2024) featured a sweeping score by , honoring Hans Zimmer's original through choral and percussive motifs evoking , released in November 2024 to align with the film's epic scope. (2024), an animated , was scored by , delivering bombastic symphonic themes for robotic battles, with the September 2024 album emphasizing thematic motifs for characters like . Looking ahead, (2025 reboot) includes 's comedic-orchestral score, released August 1, 2025, blending farce with big-band influences. The (2025), directed by , pairs Henry Jackman's whimsical score with a pop-inspired featuring and , released July 18, 2025, to capture family-friendly energy. (2025), also by , concludes the franchise's eighth installment with intensified action cues, digitally launched May 23, 2025. A key trend in Paramount Music's film soundtracks is the emphasis on franchise continuity, with the entries since 2016 featuring recurring composers like Balfe to maintain thematic cohesion across the series. Collaborations with elite talents, such as Zimmer's involvement in and Balfe's multi-project tenure, underscore the label's strategy of leveraging established voices for global appeal. Commercially, streaming has dominated, with hits like exceeding 1 billion aggregate streams by 2025, driving revenue through platforms like and while complementing theatrical runs. This approach has positioned Paramount Music as a vital extension of the studio's branding in the digital era.

Television soundtracks

Paramount Music has released soundtracks for numerous television series and specials, with outputs growing significantly following the 2021 launch of Paramount+, which expanded the label's opportunities to distribute music tied to streaming-exclusive content. Recent releases from 2023–2025 demonstrate the label's emphasis on diverse genres across Paramount+ originals, such as the 2024 score for by , blending whimsical orchestral and electronic sounds for the adventure series; by and Aska Matsumiya, with fantastical motifs; the animated Knuckles series by Wataru Hokoyama and Tom Howe; and Reacher Season 2 by Tony Morales, released in late 2023, featuring propulsive action cues. Unique aspects of these releases include original songs integrated into narratives, as seen in Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (2023), and a pronounced focus on adventure and action genres within Paramount+ content. The streaming era has boosted visibility for these soundtracks, with playlists and albums like Reacher: Season 2 achieving widespread plays on platforms such as and , contributing to millions of streams amid the series' high viewership. This growth reflects Paramount Music's role in leveraging TV content to promote genre-specific music, often sharing composers like across related projects.

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