UMG renews NetEase Cloud Music pact, brings Swift to platform

Anabelle Colaco
22 Jan 2026, 16:57 GMT+10

Universal Music Group is expanding access to its global artist catalogue in China after signing a new licensing agreement with a major local streaming platform, reinforcing ties first forged several years ago
U.S.-based Universal Music Group said on January 19 it had struck a multi-year deal with NetEase Cloud Music, allowing artists signed to UMG, including Taylor Swift, to stream their music on NetEase’s platform
The agreement also includes provisions addressing the use of artificial intelligence. In a joint statement, the companies said the terms reflect a “shared commitment to responsible AI practices that support and protect the music and artists that UMG represents"

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Universal Music Group is expanding access to its global artist catalogue in China after signing a new licensing agreement with a major local streaming platform, reinforcing ties first forged several years ago.

U.S.-based Universal Music Group said on January 19 it had struck a multi-year deal with NetEase Cloud Music, allowing artists signed to UMG, including Taylor Swift, to stream their music on NetEase's platform.

The agreement also includes provisions addressing the use of artificial intelligence. In a joint statement, the companies said the terms reflect a "shared commitment to responsible AI practices that support and protect the music and artists that UMG represents."

UMG and NetEase Cloud Music previously entered into a similar licensing agreement in 2020. Financial terms of the new deal were not disclosed.

"We are thrilled to expand our partnership with NetEase Cloud Music to introduce further UMG's unrivaled artist roster and music catalog available to Chinese music fans," said Timothy Xu, CEO of Universal Music Greater China, in the statement announcing the deal.

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