RCA/Ariola International (not for release label use! precursor of Bertelsmann Music Group aka BMG, 1985–87)

This was a short-lived joint venture that first began in Aug 1985 as a 75/25 partnership between RCA Corp. and Bertelsmann AG, that soon after was wholly owned by the latter until it was integrated into Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG).

In 1983, Arista Records owner Bertelsmann had sold 50% of Arista to RCA. In 1985, Bertelsmann and RCA formed the joint venture called RCA/Ariola International. When General Electric acquired RCA in 1986, the company sold its 50% interest in RCA/Ariola International back to Bertelsmann AG, and the company was renamed Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG). BMG brought back the lightning bolt logo that RCA had last used in 1968 to make clear that RCA Records was no longer co-owned with the other RCA assets which GE had either sold or closed.