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Sony Music renews multi-year licensing deal with China’s NetEase Cloud Music
Sony Music has renewed its multi-year licensing agreement with NetEase Cloud Music, keeping its catalogue available to listeners across China and extending collaboration on artist promotion, content and cultural exchange. The deal completes NetEase Cloud Music’s renewals with all three major music companies during 2026, reinforcing access to international and Chinese-language music on the platform.
The financial terms were not disclosed. Sony first signed a licensing deal with NetEase in May 2021, after previously licensing its Chinese catalogue exclusively through Tencent Music Entertainment; NetEase is now China’s second-largest streaming service, behind Tencent. The companies highlighted artists including Jam Hsiao, A-Lin, Kenshi Yonezu, JENNIE and LISA, while Sony also invested US$100 million in NetEase’s Cloud Village in 2021.
In short
- Sony renewed its multi-year NetEase Cloud Music licensing deal.
- The renewal keeps Sony’s catalogue available in China.
- NetEase renewed agreements with all three major labels in 2026.
Explained simply
NetEase Cloud Music is one of China’s main music streaming services, competing with the larger Tencent Music. Streaming platforms make recorded music available to listeners online, but they need permission from music companies to offer their catalogues.
Sony Music is one of the world’s major record companies, representing artists and recordings in many languages. Its catalogue includes artists such as Jam Hsiao, A-Lin and Kenshi Yonezu, as well as JENNIE and LISA.
Licensing deals shape which music people can hear on each service and how artists’ work is promoted. Sony and NetEase began working together in 2021; Sony also invested US$100 million in NetEase’s music business that year.
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