Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Goodwill And Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Changes in Goodwill for Each Reportable Segment

The following analysis details the changes in goodwill for each reportable segment:

	Recorded			Music
	Music			Publishing		Total
	(in millions)
Balance at September 30, 2015	$	1,168		$	464	$	1,632
Acquisitions		13			—		13
Dispositions		(12	)		—		(12	)
Other adjustments		(6	)		—		(6	)
Balance at September 30, 2016	$	1,163		$	464	$	1,627
Acquisitions		58			—		58
Dispositions		(10	)		—		(10	)
Other adjustments		10			—		10
Balance at September 30, 2017	$	1,221		$	464	$	1,685

Schedule of Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following:

	Weighted
	Average	September 30,			September 30,
	Useful Life	2017			2016
		(in millions)
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Recorded music catalog	10 years	$	898		$	923
Music publishing copyrights	27 years		1,534			1,504
Artist and songwriter contracts	13 years		904			883
Trademarks	6 years		14			7
Other intangible assets	7 years		10			5
Total gross intangible asset subject to amortization			3,360			3,322
Accumulated amortization			(1,270	)		(1,121	)
Total net intangible assets subject to amortization			2,090			2,201
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Trademarks and tradenames	Indefinite		117			116
Total net other intangible assets		$	2,207		$	2,317

Expected Amortization of Intangible Assets

Based on the amount of intangible assets subject to amortization at September 30, 2017, the expected amortization for each of the next five fiscal years and thereafter are as follows:

	Fiscal YearsEnded
	September 30,
	(in millions)
2018	$	209
2019		194
2020		179
2021		179
2022		174
Thereafter		1,155
	$	2,090