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Michael Jackson’s album has stayed in the Billboard top 10 for 500 weeks — almost 10 years. This is not nostalgia, but proof of a business model: a music catalog can generate income for decades. We examine how to make money from it.
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What happened
Michael Jackson’s album Thriller returned to the top 10 of Billboard Top Album Sales, reaching an incredible milestone — 500 weeks among the best-selling albums in the United States. It turns out that the record, released in 1982, has been steadily generating sales for almost a decade in total. For comparison: most modern hits do not stay on the charts for even a few months. This phenomenon demonstrates the fundamental value of a music catalog as an asset.
Why this is useful for business
Thriller proves a simple idea: a high-quality music catalog is an asset that does not depreciate, but generates constant cash flow. In the streaming era, rights to classic tracks have become a valuable commodity. Films, advertising, video games, merch — all of these are monetization channels that work for a catalog for decades. For an entrepreneur, this means that an investment in music rights today can turn into passive income for years ahead.
How to make money from it
There are several proven models. Synchronization is the sale of rights to use tracks in films, TV series, and advertising. One license for a popular catalog can cost from $10 000 to $500 000, depending on the scale of the project. Streaming brings in less, but steadily: a catalog with 100 000 monthly listens generates approximately $300-500 per month. Vinyl is experiencing a renaissance — rare editions of Thriller on vinyl sell for $200-500 per copy. Merchandising and licensing the artist’s image add another income stream.
Business ideas
The first option is to open a niche vinyl store focused on rarities from the 70s-90s. Margins on used records reach 200-400%, and the target audience is loyal and ready to pay for quality. The second is to create a synchronization agency that acts as an intermediary between catalog owners and production companies. The commission is 15-25% of the deal.
The third option is a platform for selling catalogs. Investors buy shares in rights to music catalogs, receiving proportional income from royalties. The model is attractive for those who want to diversify their portfolio without direct ownership of rights. The fourth is a catalog management service for independent artists. Many musicians do not know that their old recordings bring in money through streaming and are ready to pay a percentage for professional management.
The fifth is vintage merch based on music aesthetics. T-shirts, posters, and accessories with the symbolism of iconic albums sell on marketplaces with a margin of 150-300%. The sixth is a podcast or YouTube channel about the music industry focused on catalogs and royalties. Monetization through advertising, partnerships with labels, and consulting services.
Risks and limitations
The main risk is a high barrier to entry. High-quality catalogs are expensive: rights to a catalog with history can be valued in the millions of dollars. The legal component is complex: music rights are often split between heirs, labels, and publishers. The market is subject to trends: not every catalog will become Thriller. The audience may lose interest in a certain style or era. Competition is growing — major streaming platforms are actively buying up catalogs, driving prices up.
7-day action plan
Day 1-2: study the music catalog market — Music Gateway, Music Library Reports, Rightsflow forums. Compile a list of potential catalogs for analysis. Day 3-4: define a niche — vinyl, synchronization, merch, or catalog management. Start monitoring platforms: Discogs for vinyl, Musicbed for synchronization. Day 5-6: choose 2-3 directions to test. Contact small rights holders, find out the terms. Day 7: decide on the business format, prepare a minimal monetization plan, and test the first product — whether that is a sales listing or a synchronization request.
Thriller proves that a music catalog is not just recordings, but a long-term asset. Those who manage to occupy the niche today will collect their royalty portfolio tomorrow.
Original news: Forbes Business · See other news in the news section.
