Taylor Swift Label UMG Inks Licensing Deal with China’s Netease Cloud Music

Reuters

12:41 JST, January 20, 2026

WASHINGTON, Jan 19 (Reuters) – U.S.-based Universal Music Group struck a deal with Chinese music streaming service NetEase Cloud Music, the two music companies announced Monday.

The multi-year license agreement allows UMG-signed artists like Taylor Swift to stream on NetEase’s platform. The deal includes provisions and terms covering artificial intelligence both companies said reflect a “shared commitment to responsible AI practices that support and protect the music and artists that UMG represents,” in a statement announcing the deal.

The two companies entered into an agreement in 2020 similar to Monday’s deal. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with NetEase Cloud Music to further introduce 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.