Winamp to Relaunch in 2027 with Deezer Partnership and Subscription Service

Winamp's Relaunch Strategy

Winamp, a media player known for its MP3 capabilities, is set to relaunch in 2027. The new iteration will introduce a premium subscription service and will operate as a distinct player. This development is a result of a partnership with Deezer, which will supply the underlying streaming technology and access to its licensed music catalog.

Features of the New Player

The upcoming Winamp player will offer a comprehensive listening experience, combining local file playback with internet radio, podcasts, and cloud-stored music libraries. The subscription service will be integrated into this new platform. The original Winamp desktop application, which reportedly has over 40 million active users, will continue to function independently, with plans to incorporate the same Deezer-powered subscription post-launch.

Deezer's Strategic Partnership

This collaboration is mutually beneficial for both companies. Deezer, which reported a decline in new subscriptions from partner deals in its first half 2026 financial results, views white-label agreements as a strategic priority. Its partnerships segment saw a 7.6 percent drop in revenue to 70.7 million euros. The Winamp deal, signed on July 1, is part of Deezer's revamped 'Deezer for Business' program, allowing it to provide streaming infrastructure and catalog while Winamp manages the product, branding, and subscriber relationships.

Previous Relaunch Attempts

This is not Winamp's first attempt at a comeback. In October 2018, Alexandre Saboundjian, then CEO of Winamp owner Radioomy and now CEO of Winamp Group, announced a new Winamp for the following year. That planned revival, which aimed for a unified listening experience across various sources, did not materialize. The current plan with Deezer represents a new approach to integrating streaming capabilities.