Winamp is returning in 2027 with streaming and personal music collections in one player

Winamp will make its return in the first half of 2027 with a redesigned player featuring an integrated music streaming service.

The new Winamp Player will integrate Deezer’s streaming technology and global music catalogue into a subscription service operating under the Winamp brand. The partnership will see Deezer provide its white-label infrastructure, while Winamp develops the service as a native part of its redesigned player.

The launch forms part of Winamp’s plans to rethink the music player for the streaming era, more than 25 years after the software became a widely used platform for playing digital music.

According to a press statement from Winamp, premium streaming will sit alongside users’ local music libraries, internet radio stations, podcasts, personal cloud-based collections and other audio sources. Winamp also plans to introduce a highly customisable interface, social features and new tools for discovering, organising and listening to music.

While further details are expected closer to launch, Winamp said the subscription service will differ from conventional streaming platforms in both its listening experience and subscription model.

“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. This partnership with Deezer gives us access to world-class streaming technology and one of the richest music catalogues 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,” said Alexandre Saboundjian, CEO of Winamp Group.

The partnership will also extend to Winamp’s existing desktop player following the launch of the new platform. According to the company, the desktop software remains in active use by more than 40 million users worldwide and will gain access to Winamp’s Deezer-powered premium subscription service.

“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. 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,” said Thierry Ascarez, CBO of Winamp Group.

Winamp first emerged in the late 1990s and became closely associated with the growth of digital music listening on personal computers. The company is positioning the forthcoming player as an attempt to revisit that original role for an era in which streaming services have become the dominant way many listeners access music.

Deezer, meanwhile, will provide the underlying streaming infrastructure and catalogue rather than operate the service under its own consumer-facing brand.

“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. 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 experience of bringing fans closer to their favorite artists,” said Julien Delbourg, CCO of Deezer.