Universal Music Group (UMG) and Amazon are joining forces to revolutionize music streaming with their new initiative, “Streaming 2.0.” This expanded partnership, announced in a December 23rd press release, aims to enhance product offerings and foster stronger connections between artists and fans. The collaboration will focus on developing new audiobooks and livestreaming content opportunities.
A key component of this partnership is addressing the growing concerns surrounding AI-generated content and the fair compensation of artists. Both companies are committed to combating fraud and protecting creators from the misuse of their work. This commitment follows UMG’s recent actions, including the temporary removal of music from TikTok earlier this year due to a licensing dispute centered on fair compensation and the impact of AI-generated music.
The partnership acknowledges a broader issue within the music industry: the inadequate compensation artists receive from streaming services. Many musicians earn only a fraction of a penny per stream on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, leaving them with minimal returns despite millions of streams and views.
Amazon’s vice president of Audio, Twitch, and Games, Steve Boom, stated, “UMG has always been a collaborative partner to Amazon Music, and as we continue to invent and introduce more artist-to-fan connections through our product and exclusive content, we’re redefining what it means to be a streaming service.” This new deal builds upon a 2022 partnership that already increased access to UMG content for Amazon Music and Twitch users. The expanded collaboration promises to bring even more opportunities for both artists and fans.