Photo Credit: Deezer + Winamp
Winamp announces a strategic partnership with Deezer to power the development of Winamp’s newest iteration of its iconic music player.
Winamp has announced a landmark strategic partnership with Deezer to power Winamp’s own premium music subscription service in the development of the next generation of the company’s iconic music player. Scheduled for release in H1 2027, the new Winamp Player will introduce a reimagined listening experience built around the goal of reinventing the music player for the streaming era.
Under the agreement, Deezer will provide its music streaming technology and global music catalog, enabling Winamp to launch its own premium subscription offering under the Winamp brand. The service will be fully integrated into the new Winamp Player and delivered as a native Winamp experience.
The new Winamp Player will go beyond traditional digital streaming platforms by offering more than just music streaming. It will seamlessly combine premium streaming with users’ local music libraries, internet radio stations, podcasts, personal cloud-based collections, and other audio sources while introducing a highly customizable interface, new social capabilities, and new ways to discover, organize, and enjoy music.
While full details of the product will be revealed closer to launch, Winamp confirms that its subscription streaming service will deliver a fundamentally different experience from today’s traditional digital streaming platforms, reimagining both the listening experience and the subscription model.
Over 25 years ago, Winamp transformed the way millions of people listened to digital music. Despite the tremendous evolution of streaming services over the past two decades, Winamp believes the core concept of the music player has remained largely unchanged. The company now intends to challenge that status quo once again.
The partnership will also benefit Winamp’s longstanding community. Following the launch of the new platform, the legendary Winamp desktop player, still actively used by over 40 million users worldwide, will include Winamp’s premium music subscription service, powered by Deezer’s streaming technology.
“Winamp has always been about giving users the freedom to experience music their own way. Twenty-five years ago we changed the way people listened to digital music, and we believe the time has come to challenge the listening experience once again,” said Alexandre Saboundjian, Chief Executive Officer, Winamp Group.
“This partnership with Deezer gives us access to world-class streaming technology and one of the richest music catalogs in the world, allowing us to focus on what matters most: building a unique Winamp product that brings together everything users want to listen to in one place.”
“This partnership is much more than a technology agreement. It represents the coming together of two companies that share a passion for innovation in music,” added Thierry Ascarez, Chief Business Officer, Winamp Group. “Deezer provides the streaming infrastructure; Winamp is creating a completely new product experience. Users won’t simply discover another streaming service—they will discover a new generation of the Winamp Player.”
“Much like Deezer, Winamp was part of building the foundation for the future, as the music ecosystem entered a new era through digital transformation, and we’re looking forward to contributing to the next phase of this iconic brand,” concluded Julien Delbourg, Chief Commercial Officer, Deezer.
“Our role will be to support the vision of Winamp and deliver a next-generation music experience through leading technology, a global music catalog, and two decades [of] experience of bringing fans closer to their favorite artists.”
The next-gen Winamp Player is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2027, with additional product announcements and previews to be unveiled in the coming months.