META AND UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP ANNOUNCE EXPANDED GLOBAL AGREEMENT

Meta and Universal Music Group (UMG), a global leader in music entertainment, have announced an expanded multi-year partnership designed to enhance creative and commercial opportunities for UMG artists and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) songwriters. This partnership spans Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, Horizon, Threads, and, for the first time, WhatsApp.

Tamara Hrivnak, VP Music and Content Business Development at Meta, said, “We are thrilled to announce our renewal with Universal Music Group, and Universal Music Publishing Group, both of whom are innovators for music on social media, especially with regard to Meta’s family of apps.  This partnership builds on the recognition that music can help connect us and bring fans, artists, and songwriters closer together, not only on established platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, but also in new ways on WhatsApp, and more.  We’re extremely grateful to the Universal team, and look forward to growing our partnership in the future.”

This renewed agreement underscores Meta and UMG’s shared commitment to protecting human creators and ensuring fair compensation for artists and songwriters. The collaboration will continue to address key issues, such as unauthorized AI-generated content that could impact creators.

Michael Nash, Chief Digital Officer & EVP, Universal Music Group said, “Since our landmark 2017 agreement, Meta has consistently demonstrated its commitment to artists and songwriters by helping to amplify the importance music holds across its global network of engaged communities and platforms, creating new opportunities and applications where music amplifies and leads engagement and conversations.  We are delighted that Meta shares our artist-centric vision for respecting human creativity and compensating artists and songwriters fairly. We look forward to continuing to work together to address unauthorized AI-generated content that could affect artists and songwriters, so that UMG can continue to protect their rights both now and in the future.”

Building on the strategic foundation established in their 2017 landmark agreement, which marked a significant shift in the relationship between the music industry and the then-named Facebook, this new deal extends the innovative collaboration. UMG was the first major music company to license its music catalogs across Facebook’s platforms, making Facebook the first fully licensed social media platform among the major players.

Meta’s platforms have served as vital channels for artists and songwriters to connect with their audiences. Since 2017, the companies have collaborated on new ways for licensed music to thrive across Meta’s ecosystem, from Facebook and Instagram to virtual reality experiences on Meta Quest and Horizon, as well as User Generated Content (UGC) and live streaming. The new agreement further expands monetization opportunities for UMG, its artists, and songwriters, particularly with short-form video, and introduces music licensing for WhatsApp, unlocking new possibilities for creators.

Universal Music Group (UMG) leads the world in music-based entertainment, shaping culture through its commitment to artistry, innovation, and entrepreneurship. With an extensive catalog spanning every genre, UMG is dedicated to discovering and developing artists, producing and distributing some of the most celebrated and successful music globally. UMG also pioneers new services, platforms, and business models that enhance opportunities for its artists and enrich fan experiences. Meanwhile, Meta, known for revolutionizing social connections since Facebook’s launch in 2004, continues to develop technologies that bring people together, empower communities, and drive business growth. Meta is now advancing toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality, marking the next phase in social technology.

For more on UMG, visit http://www.universalmusic.com.