In what DJ Jazzy Jeff called a “humongous deal,” Amazon-owned livestream giant Twitch has struck groundbreaking agreements with Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Sony Music, Merlin, and thousands of independent labels. The first-of-its-kind deals pave the way for DJs on the platform to legally play copyrighted songs in their livestreamed sets for the very first time.
For years, DJs have flocked to Twitch to perform but faced legal risks by mixing tracks without permission. Now, after negotiating with rights holders, Twitch has found a solution. The upcoming program will generate new revenue streams while promoting creativity. DJ communities on Twitch have exploded during the pandemic from 15,000 to over 60,000 creators. Their musical talents can at last be officially showcased and monetized.
Twitch CEO Dan Clancy expressed pride that Twitch will become “a permanent home for DJs.” Michael Nash of UMG echoed the sentiment, stating the deals will benefit artists through “new engagement dynamics” as fans discover music. A percentage of earnings from DJ streams will compensate songwriters and labels. While most DJs will split costs evenly with Twitch, rising talents face no fees at all.
Prominent mixer DJ Jazzy Jeff hailed the agreements, saying he ” never thought I would see this day come. I have to take my hat off to Dan and the Twitch team for putting this together.” Fellow artists can relax, knowing the law is on their side as their remixes and mixes bring fans together online. The transformation establishes Twitch as a definitive destination not only for gamers but also for musicians discovering new audiences worldwide. This watershed moment in music streaming is cause for celebration across the digital frontier.
