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Goodwill and Intangible Assets
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill
The following analysis details the changes in goodwill for each reportable segment:
Recorded
Music		Music
Publishing		Total
(in millions)
Balances at September 30, 2020$1,367 $464 $1,831 
Acquisitions5 — 5 
Other adjustments (a)6 — 6 
Balances at March 31, 2021$1,378 $464 $1,842 
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(a)Other adjustments during the six months ended March 31, 2021 represent foreign currency movements.
The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment test in accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”) during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year as of July 1. The Company may conduct an earlier review if events or circumstances occur that would suggest the carrying value of the Company’s goodwill may not be recoverable. No indicators of impairment were identified during the current period that required the Company to perform an interim assessment or recoverability test.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of the following:
Weighted-Average Useful LifeMarch 31,
2021		September 30,
2020
(in millions)
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Recorded music catalog11 years$1,026 $876 
Music publishing copyrights26 years1,707 1,597 
Artist and songwriter contracts13 years990 862 
Trademarks15 years94 81 
Other intangible assets6 years100 84 
Total gross intangible asset subject to amortization3,917 3,500 
Accumulated amortization(1,990)(1,847)
Total net intangible assets subject to amortization1,927 1,653 
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
Trademarks and tradenamesIndefinite154 154 
Total net intangible assets$2,081 $1,807 
The increase in intangible assets during the six months ended March 31, 2021 primarily relates to two acquisition transactions of music-related assets within recorded music catalogs, music publishing copyrights, and artist and songwriter contracts for approximately $318 million.