Universal Music Expands China Reach With New NetEase Cloud Music Licensing Deal

WASHINGTON / BEIJING — Jan 20 (GeokHub) Universal Music Group (UMG) has signed a new multi-year licensing agreement with China’s NetEase Cloud Music, significantly expanding access to its global music catalogue for Chinese listeners.

Under the deal, music from UMG’s roster of international artists — including global superstar Taylor Swift — will be available for streaming on NetEase Cloud Music’s platform. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Both companies said the partnership also includes provisions addressing the use of artificial intelligence, highlighting what they described as a shared commitment to responsible AI practices that protect artists’ rights and creative works.

The agreement builds on an earlier partnership signed in 2020 and reflects renewed cooperation between major Western music labels and Chinese digital platforms following years of licensing uncertainty in the market.

Timothy Xu, chief executive of Universal Music Greater China, said the company was pleased to deepen its relationship with NetEase.

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with NetEase Cloud Music to further introduce UMG’s unmatched artist roster and music catalogue to Chinese music fans,” Xu said.

Strategic Importance of the China Market

China remains one of the world’s fastest-growing music streaming markets, driven by a large mobile-first population and rising consumer spending on digital entertainment. NetEase Cloud Music is among the country’s leading platforms, particularly popular with younger listeners and independent music communities.

For Universal Music, the renewed deal strengthens its presence in Asia and reinforces its strategy of balancing global expansion with tighter controls over content use, particularly as AI-generated music becomes a growing concern for rights holders.