Universal Music Group to Encode Master Recordings in MQA for Hi-Res Streaming

Music technology company MQA and Universal Music Group announced a multiyear agreement under which UMG will encode its catalog of master recordings in MQA, making the recordings available for the first time in hi-res audio streaming. MQA CEO Mike Jbara said the agreement with Universal is a step toward the company’s goal of moving “studio-quality sound” mainstream. Michael Nash, UMG executive vice president-digital strategy, said "the promise of Hi-Res Audio streaming is becoming a reality, with one service already in the market and several more committed to launching this year.” MQA, said to deliver master-quality audio in a file small enough to stream, launched on the Tidal streaming service earlier this year. MQA has agreements with the three major music labels -- Universal, Sony and Warner -- “and it is fair to assume that each of the deals is similar in matters related to the release of their music into the market,” Jbara emailed us, declining to provide details. The company has completed agreements with some services and is in discussion “with many more,” both local and global, said Jbara, leaving it up to partners to announce plans. Pandora -- slated to launch its Premium on-demand streaming service next month and cited at a hi-res audio news conference at CES (see 1701060031) for throwing support behind high-res streaming -- didn’t respond to questions.