The "Now" series started in the Netherlands back in 1984 as "Now This Is Music" and a couple of spin-offs, such as "Now Dance", a Christmas compilation ("Now This Is Xmas") and several year-end compilations. The series ran from 1984 to 1989, ending with its 11th installment. The series was released on the EVA label, a joint venture of the Dutch branches of EMI, Sony and Ariola (later: BMG Ariola, a subsidiary of BMG/Warner Music Group). A second series under the same title started in 1997, but only two albums were released.