Winamp will be reborn in 2027 to take on streaming

Overview

Winamp will return in 2027 as a completely new player built around a monthly subscription model. Partnering with Deezer, the classic MP3 player that dominated Windows desktops during the pre-streaming era is getting a fresh start. Instead of replacing the legacy application, the new version will run alongside it, adding a premium subscription tier powered by Deezer's white-label streaming technology and licensed catalog.

The upcoming player will integrate several content sources beyond local files, including internet radio, podcasts, and cloud-stored music libraries. This represents a significant shift from the traditional download-centric model that defined Winamp's early success.

Partnership & Subscription Model

In a strategic move, Deezer is providing the streaming infrastructure and catalog rights while Winamp retains full ownership of its core product, branding, and subscriber relationships. The partnership is structured as follows:

• Deezer supplies the white-label streaming technology and licensed music catalog
• Winamp maintains control over the core product, brand identity, and direct subscriber management
• The new service will offer both a premium subscription tier and access to local files
• Additional features include internet radio, podcasts, and cloud library integration

This arrangement allows each company to leverage its strengths: Winamp contributes its established brand recognition and user base (over 40 million active users globally), while Deezer gains access to one of the largest music catalogs in the industry.

Market Context & Previous Attempts

Deezer's decision to pursue this partnership reflects broader market dynamics. The company reported a notable decline in new subscriptions from partner deals in its first half of 2026, falling to 3.1 million - a decrease of 800,000 year-over-year. Revenue from the partnerships segment dropped 7.6 percent to 70.7 million euros following the winding down of a bundling deal with Mercado Libre.

Despite these challenges, Deezer views white-label expansion as a strategic priority. Recent acquisitions include Telenor and the French energy supplier EDF. The Winamp deal was signed on July 1, presented to investors as part of Deezer's revamped "Deezer for Business" program.

Earlier plans for a 2019 revival were not realized. That initial plan relied on integrating third-party streaming services into a single app - an approach Winamp had never publicly committed to. The 2027 relaunch sidesteps this issue entirely by bundling everything needed on day one.

Technical History & Current Status

A prior attempt to modernize Winamp did not go as planned. In September 2024, Winamp published the classic player's source code on GitHub under a custom license that initially prohibited distribution of forks. However, the repository was deleted shortly afterward after the license faced sustained criticism and the discovery of proprietary code related to Dolby and Microsoft.

To date, Winamp has not disclosed pricing models or supported platforms. The company has promised a subscription model fundamentally different from contemporary streaming services and continues to develop a customizable interface, enhanced social features, and new tools for music discovery and organization.

For the first time in nearly 30 years, Winamp will offer a premium subscription. If the partnership proves successful, it could represent a major turnaround for a service that AOL originally planned to shut down in 2013 before being sold to Radionomy.