Times Music Acquires Catrack Entertainment, Taking Punjabi Music’s Golden Era Global

Mumbai, 30^th April 2026: In a major move, Times Music has acquired Catrack Entertainment, a label synonymous with the golden era of Punjabi music. This marks Times Music’s third strategic acquisition, further strengthening its partnership with Primary Wave Music and signalling an aggressive push toward catalogue-driven growth. With Punjabi music already dominating streaming charts globally, this deal positions Times Music at the center of a rapidly expanding cultural and commercial movement.

Talking about the acquisition, Mr. Vineet Jain, Managing Director, The Times Group shares, “At The Times Group, we have always championed the voices that define India’s cultural fabric and with the acquisition of Catrack; Times Music reaffirms it’s commitment to preserving and powerfully amplifying the rich heritage of Punjabi music worldwide.”

Mandar Thakur, CEO, Times Music, further added by saying, “The Catrack catalogue is a cultural treasure that defined an era for Punjabi music lovers. This acquisition strengthens our commitment to preserving and re-energising India’s most iconic music and artists.”

Founded in 1990, Catrack Entertainment played a pivotal role in shaping Punjabi music’s identity, housing iconic artists like Babbu Maan, Malkit Singh, and Channi Singh. Beyond legacy names, the label also nurtured early talent including Manmohan Waris and Surjit Khan, making its catalogue not just historic, but culturally foundational. In today’s streaming-first ecosystem, such catalogues are more valuable than ever, offering opportunities across OTT, film sync, brand partnerships, and modern reinterpretations for younger audiences.

Gaurav Trehan, Director, Catrack Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., said, “Times Music is an ideal partner for preserving the legacy of music created by Catrack, and the integrity and speed with which they closed this acquisition is commendable.”

The acquisition comes at a time when Times Music is rapidly expanding its footprint across regional and independent music. Following earlier deals with ARC Musicq and Symphony Recording Co., the company is emerging as a serious ‘deal closer’ in India’s music IP space. With a catalogue spanning over 35 years of Indian music, and strategic global distribution partnerships already in place, the addition of Catrack significantly boosts its Punjabi portfolio, one of the most globally consumed Indian music genres today.

David Loiterton, President, Indo & Asia Pacific, Primary Wave Music, added, “We’re delighted to welcome the legendary music of Catrack to our partnership with Times Music. Catrack is a great example of our pursuit of unique, iconic music IP that can transcend generations and cultures, and we’re looking forward to helping Times Music bring that music to new audiences around the world.”

More than just a business transaction, this move reflects a larger industry shift toward ownership of legacy music as a long-term asset. With Primary Wave Music known globally for managing iconic catalogues, the partnership ensures that Catrack’s music will not only be preserved but also reintroduced to new audiences worldwide. In 2026, as regional sounds continue to dominate global playlists, this acquisition positions Times Music as one of the key architects in taking Punjabi music from legacy to limitless.