RCA

Multinational label.
Label Code: LC 0316 / LC 00316.
Also appears as "RCA Records" or "RCA Record" (Australia/New Zealand).
[b]Consider adding [l=RCA Victor] as 2nd label if it also appears on the release[/b].
RCA is a record label that is used worldwide and currently owned by [l=Sony Music Entertainment].

The name RCA refers to the [l=Radio Corporation of America] (RCA), a US electronic and communications company formed in 1919. In 1929, RCA acquired the [l=Victor Talking Machine Co.] The Victor Company had released records on the [l=Victor] and [l=Victrola] labels. The record division became known as RCA Victor until late 1968, when it became RCA Records.

In 1985, RCA Records became part of [l=RCA/Ariola International]; At the end of that year, [l=General Electric] purchased the [l=RCA Corporation]; In 1986, GE sold the remainder of RCA Records to Bertelsmann (Ariola's owner) and formed the [l=Bertelsmann Music Group] (BMG).

Since then, RCA Records has switched owners twice. First it became a label of [l=Sony BMG Music Entertainment] and currently is owned by Sony Music Entertainment.

On September 26, 2011, Sony Music Entertainment reorganized [url=https://www.discogs.com/label/38468-RCA-Music-Group]the RCA Records group[/url] into its own label banner. Therefore, the labels under that group, [l=Jive], [l=Arista], [l=LaFace] and [l=J Records], were all merged into RCA, bringing all of its artists from these aforementioned four imprints to the RCA family. Furthermore, reissues from Jive, Arista, J and LaFace by Sony will be handled by RCA as well.

[u]Note[/u]: Though Sony Music Entertainment owns the RCA label, it doesn't own the RCA trademarks. The RCA trademarks are owned by French company [l=Technicolor S.A.] and licensed to Sony Music Entertainment by [l=RCA Trademark Management S.A.]

Also has a series of Spanish releases called [L=Serie Discoteca (2)].

[b]For 70's-80's French releases with a 'RCA éditeur' mention, please add [l895] as Record Company and a note 'RCA éditeur'[/b].

Colors on French EP labels:
Black labels: 1955-December 1959
Yellow labels: October 1959-July 1962
- "Made in France by [l=Area S.A.]" disappears from labels in January 1960 / "Super 45" appears at the bottom of EP labels, "45" at the bottom of single labels.
- From Spring 1962, [l=RCA Victor] may appear next and/or above [l=RCA].
Black labels: May 1962-March 1963
Blue labels: April 1961-1968 (only used before for the series [l=Série En Or])
Orange labels ([l=RCA Victor] only): 1968+

RCA-branded CDs debuted in October 1983.