Telstar Records (UK, mostly compilations)

Founded in the early 1980s. Originally specialised in mainstream compilations that were advertised on UK television and radio.
With additional backing from BMG/RCA, it diversified in the 1990s into signing and developing artists, such as Victoria Beckham and Craig David. A number of the signings were commercially unsuccessful, leading to financial difficulties and a drastic trimming of the roster. Since it had no real back catalogue to speak of, BMG declined to buy the debt-ridden company and it closed in 2004.
A sublabel called Telstar TV had been used primarily for the release of the "Hits" series, which failed to match the success of the rival "Now That's What I Call Music!" franchise, so the "Hits" brand was also discontinued. The controllers of BMG UK decided to keep the bulk of their telemarketed compilations in-house from then on, often using the BMG TV brand.