Winamp Will Relaunch Streaming Services in 2027
The classic media player will partner with Deezer to offer a new premium music subscription service.
Updated on Sept. 20, 2026 in Music — General
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Would you pay for a premium subscription to use the revamped Winamp streaming service?
Winamp plans to return to the digital music market in 2027 through a partnership with streaming provider Deezer. This relaunch will introduce a premium subscription model to the iconic brand for the first time.
Why it matters
The collaboration solves Winamp's lack of music licenses and streaming infrastructure by utilizing Deezer's existing white-label catalog and technology. This strategy allows the brand to modernize its services while maintaining its own subscriber relationships.
The brand, which spans a 30-year history, will operate via a white-label arrangement to bundle its interface with Deezer's streaming infrastructure.
The players
Winamp
This legacy media player software was originally developed in the late 1990s and became a standard tool for digital music playback on Windows computers.
Deezer
This French online music streaming service provides access to a massive catalog of licensed songs and operates a global white-label infrastructure business.
AOL
This American web services company previously owned Winamp and attempted to discontinue the software product in 2013.
The details
Winamp will manage its own branding and user interface while leveraging Deezer's backend to provide music discovery and social features. The move follows a long period of transition for the software, which included a refreshed version in 2022 and an attempt to release source code on GitHub in 2024.
Timeline
AOL planned to shut down Winamp in 2013.
A refreshed version of the Winamp software was released in 2022.
Winamp published its source code on GitHub in September 2024.
Deezer signed the official partnership agreement on July 1, 2026.
Winamp will officially relaunch its streaming services in 2027.
Industry Dynamics
This partnership represents a complete strategic reversal from the brand's near-total dissolution following the 2013 AOL decision to shut down Winamp. It highlights a broader trend where legacy software brands are being repurposed through white-label streaming infrastructure deals.
Users will be able to access a new, customizable interface that features integrated music discovery tools and social capabilities. The service will require a premium subscription, changing how long-time fans interact with the brand compared to the original free player.
The takeaway
The return of Winamp highlights how classic software can find new life by pivoting into the modern streaming subscription model. Users should watch for upcoming previews to see how the developers balance the classic interface with contemporary music catalog features.
What happens next
Winamp plans to release additional product previews to the public in the coming months as it prepares for the 2027 launch.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in the digital audio landscape at Music — General.
Live Poll
Would you pay for a premium subscription to use the revamped Winamp streaming service?
