Facebook's deal with Universal Music comes just four months after it launched Watch, its on-demand streaming service that features original videos.
Facebook Inc and Universal Music Group have announced a global agreement that will enable users to upload videos featuring music from Universals library across the social media network as well as Instagram and Oculus.
As reported by Reuters, through the agreement, which is Facebooks first with a major record label, the social media company will no longer have to require users to take down videos featuring music from Universals catalogue due to copyright infringement. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Although the agreement marks the first time the social media giant has made a deal with a large music company, Facebook is already in talks to strike similar deals with both Warner Music Group and Sony Music, according to The Verge.
Facebook told The Verge it has plans to introduce “music-based products” in partnership with Universal Music. That could open the door for a wide range of things, including music videos and live streaming of concerts.
The agreement with Universal Music is seen by industry experts as means to boost its video offering. In a 2016 interview, founder Mark Zuckerberg called video a “mega trend” that was “almost as big as mobile.” The company sees video is a key way of keeping users engaged on its site and getting them to spend more time there.
Facebook’s deal with Universal Music comes just four months after it launched Watch, its on-demand streaming service that features original videos produced specifically for the site.
The partnership comes days after Bloomberg reported that YouTube had signed a long-term agreement with Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment.
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