Merlin Improves Music Licensing Partnership with JioSaavn

Merlin has expanded and improved its current music licencing collaboration with JioSaavn, increasing the depth of a huge music cooperation.

FREMONT, CA: Merlin, the independent's digital music licencing partner, has expanded and improved its current music licencing collaboration with JioSaavn, a prominent South Asian music and audio streaming service.

Merlin and JioSaavn's agreement has been expanded, deepening what was already a huge music cooperation. As regional music streaming service Saavn combined with India's JioMusic, the music streaming service operated by telecom service provider Reliance Jio, the contract has been renewed for the first time. JioSaavn's monthly active users surged to over 100 million after the merger, which allowed Saavn's entire catalogue to be available on the JioSaavn app. JioSaavn is now preloaded on Jio's JioPhone, and the web, Android, and iOS users.

Merlin membership comprises numerous labels and multiple artists from different countries globally, contributing to more than 15 percent of the worldwide digital music market. Music fans can find a diverse range of tracks and videos from several Merlin members on JioSaavn, such as Armada Music, an independent international award-winning record label established by a.o. Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren, with a roster that includes dance-music heavy-hitters like Loud Luxury, Andrew Rayel, and Arty; Because Music, home of Christine and the Queens, Manu Chao, Justice, Metronomy, Parcels, and Ed Banger Records; Fluxus, a South Korean record label established by Kim Byung-chan that has accomplished success with artists spanning throughout genres like Clazziquai, Yi Sung-Yol, and Urban Zakapa; and Sanjivani, an India-based music distribution organization.

Keshav Bhola, Vice President, Content Partnerships at JioSaavn, said, "We look forward to collaborating with Merlin on impactful initiatives. This is a strategic step to work towards the growth of partners, artists and the music industry in the long term. This endeavour will further build on our commitment to make a positive impact on the music streaming ecosystem. Our audience will now have access to an elevated experience with regard to global music, while artists and musicians from around the world will have a borderless platform for their work."

"We're grateful to expand our partnership with JioSaavn, and to enable our members to share their diverse catalog with JioSaavn's global South Asian audience. As the scope of the Merlin membership grows around the world, we're excited to grow the opportunities for our members and their repertoire," said Charlie Lexton, COO of Merlin.