The Decca Record Company Limited

This is a COMPANY, not a label. For the label, use Decca.

The London, UK based company behind the Universal Music Group).

Also appears as:
- Decca Record Company Ltd
- Decca Record Company Ltd (UK)
- Decca Records, UK
- The Decca Record Company Ltd.
- The Decca Record Co. Ltd.
- The Decca Record Co., Ltd.
- The Decca Records Co., Ltd., London
- The Decca Record Company Limited, London
- The Decca Record Company


Former stockbroker The Gramophone Co. Ltd.). Within years, Decca was the second largest record company in the world, calling itself "The Supreme Record Company".

A US branch was launched in 1934. This branch was sold off during World War II, becoming London Records label to release their material in North America, since they could not use the Decca trademark there anymore.

The 1970s were disastrous for The Decca Company. Although Decca set up the first of the British "progressive" labels, PolyGram acquired the remains of The Decca Record Company Ltd. alone with subsidaries within days of his death.

As of 1980s/90s the companies principal activities were the export of gramophone records, music cassettes and compact discs, recording, licensing and marketing of mainly classical audio and video repertoire and the exploitation of copyrights held by its rich back catalogue. - including the rights held by its dormant wholly owned subsidiary companies - Qualiton Records (1968) Ltd., Brunswick Ltd.

On the 10th Dec 1998 the ultimate parent became the "The Seagram Company Ltd." (whom already owned the PolyGram) the companies former parent. On the 20th Oct 1999 prior to the name change, The Decca Record Company Ltd acquired the "Philips Music Group division" from "Seagram".