TikTok has struck a deal with Sony Music Entertainment to “make songs from SME’s roster of global superstars and exciting emerging artists widely available across the app”. The news marks the first time that TikTok has announced a licensing agreement with one of the three major recorded music companies.
In a new online post, TikTok added: “TikTok and Sony Music will work together to support greater levels of TikTok user personalization and creativity on the platform, and drive new and forward-looking opportunities for fan engagement with SME’s artists and music”.
TikTok signs deal with Sony Music to expand music library https://t.co/RZm9Wchvoy pic.twitter.com/6b1zs84aYj
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 2, 2020
“TikTok is a leader in this space and we are pleased to be partnering with them to drive music discovery, expand opportunities for creativity and support artist careers”, Dennis Kooker, Sony Music. He also added, “Short form video clips have developed into an exciting new part of the music ecosystem that contribute to the overall growth of music and the way fans experience it”.
Earlier this year, TikTok announced global licensing agreements with two giants of the independent music world, in Merlin and Paris-based Believe. In July, the Bytedance-owned platform also announced a deal with a range of music publishers, via an agreement with the US-based National Music Publishers Association.