$180 Million: Sia Sells 50 Percent Stake in Music Catalog
Australian singer-songwriter Sia has sold a 50 percent stake in her music catalog to Swedish catalog investment firm Pophouse for $180 million, as first reported by TMZ and confirmed by Rolling Stone. The transaction covers publishing and master recording rights, with an official announcement expected imminently as the artist prepares to launch an immersive digital avatar production utilizing her vocals on global hits like Rihanna’s “Diamonds.”
Sia Songs Generate 18 Million Dollars Annually
An insider estimates that Sia’s extensive collection of songs generates approximately $18 million annually in writing and performance royalties. The agreement with Pophouse—co-founded by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus—secures publishing and master recording rights while explicitly excluding her name and likeness. The catalog features multiple tracks exceeding one billion streams on Spotify. Her collaboration with DJ David Guetta, “Titanium,” sits at 2.4 billion streams, while tracks including “Unstoppable,” “Chandelier,” “Dusk Till Dawn” featuring Zayn, and “Cheap Thrills” have surpassed 2 billion streams. Additional major streaming drivers include the Sean Paul version of “Cheap Thrills,” the Flo Rida collaboration “Wild Ones,” “Elastic Heart,” and “Snowman,” all crossing the billion-stream threshold.
Avatar Production Timeline and Pophouse Strategy
The partnership centers on creating a digital avatar show featuring both her catalog as a performing artist and her songwriting credits for other musicians. According to a source familiar with the deal, the production is at least a couple of years away from its debut and may tour to select cities. This project aligns with Pophouse’s expanding portfolio of virtual and immersive entertainment ventures. The firm is a founding investor in ABBA Voyage, the virtual residency launched in 2022 at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. Pophouse also acquired the music catalog, brand name, likeness, and trademarks of Kiss in 2024 with plans for a Kiss Forever immersive avatar show in Las Vegas in 2028. Further expanding its catalog holdings in 2024, the firm became a majority owner alongside BMG in the music interests of Tina Turner’s catalog, alongside rights to Turner’s name, image, and likeness, and acquired master music and publishing rights for Iron Maiden alongside plans for a digital universe centered around the band’s mascot Eddie.
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