U.S.-based Universal Music Group has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Chinese music streaming platform NetEase Cloud Music, expanding access to its artists and catalog for listeners in China.
Under the agreement, music from UMG-signed artists, including Taylor Swift, will be available for streaming on NetEase Cloud Music. The companies said the deal also includes provisions related to artificial intelligence, reflecting a shared commitment to responsible AI practices that protect artists and their work.
The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. UMG and NetEase Cloud Music previously entered into a similar licensing deal in 2020, and the new agreement builds on that earlier partnership.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with NetEase Cloud Music to further introduce UMG’s unrivaled artist roster and music catalog to Chinese music fans,” said Timothy Xu, CEO of Universal Music Greater China, in a statement announcing the deal.
The agreement highlights the continued importance of China’s digital music market for global labels, as well as growing industry attention on how AI technologies are used in music creation, distribution, and rights management.
