Winamp To Return In 2027 With A New Deezer-Powered Player That Blends Streaming & Local Music

Winamp is trying to turn nostalgia into a modern music business.

The iconic player will return in the first half of 2027 with Deezer-powered streaming, local-library support, podcasts, radio and cloud audio inside one customizable platform.

The irony is hard to miss. While music listeners already face an overcrowded subscription market, Winamp believes another paid service can succeed by offering something the biggest streaming platforms largely abandoned: a true all-in-one music player.
 

TL;DR

• Winamp plans to launch its next-generation music player in the first half of 2027.
• Deezer will provide its white-label streaming technology and global licensed music catalog.
• The platform will combine premium streaming with local libraries, podcasts, internet radio, cloud collections and other audio sources.

Deezer Will Power Winamp’s Premium Music Subscription Service

Under the strategic partnership, Deezer will supply the technology and music catalog behind Winamp’s upcoming premium subscription service. However, the service will retain Winamp’s branding and be delivered as a native part of the new Winamp Player.

Rather than rebuilding a global streaming operation from scratch, Winamp can use Deezer’s existing infrastructure while focusing on the interface, discovery tools and overall user experience.

“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,” said Thierry Ascarez, Chief Business Officer at Winamp Group.

Ascarez added that Deezer will provide the streaming infrastructure while Winamp develops a new product experience, positioning the service as more than another conventional streaming platform.
 

Winamp’s 2027 Music Player Will Combine Streaming, Local Files And Podcasts

The next-generation Winamp Player is being designed around a single hub for nearly every form of digital audio.

Alongside premium music streaming, users will be able to access their local music libraries, internet radio stations, podcasts, personal cloud-based collections and other audio sources without moving between separate applications.

Winamp also plans to introduce a highly customizable interface, social capabilities and new ways to discover, organize and play music. Full product details remain under wraps and will be revealed closer to launch.

“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,” said Alexandre Saboundjian, CEO of Winamp Group.

"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."

Saboundjian said the Deezer partnership gives Winamp access to streaming technology and a large music catalog, allowing the company to concentrate on building a product that brings multiple listening formats together.
 

Winamp Is Betting Its 40 Million Desktop Users Can Fuel A Comeback

Winamp rose to prominence more than 25 years ago, long before Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music became dominant listening platforms. Its customizable desktop player became closely associated with the MP3 era and helped shape how millions of people managed digital music.

The company says its free desktop player is still actively used by more than 40 million people worldwide. Following the new platform’s launch, the existing desktop player will also gain access to Winamp’s Deezer-powered premium subscription service.

That established audience gives Winamp a starting point, but converting nostalgia into paying subscribers may be its biggest challenge. Consumers already have several mature streaming options, many with deeply established playlists, recommendations and connected-device ecosystems.

Winamp is betting that integration will provide its opening. Instead of competing only through catalog size, it wants to unite streaming and personally owned music in a format that gives listeners more control.

The launch also marks a clearer return to Winamp’s original identity following earlier experiments with NFTs, cross-platform audio services and creator-focused tools for monetization, distribution and fan engagement.

Additional announcements and previews are expected before the next-generation Winamp Player launches in the first half of 2027.