Snapchat & NBCUniversal Partner for Audio Clips

Snapchat Partners with NBCUniversal for Licensed Audio Clips

In a move to enhance user engagement and maintain a competitive edge, Snapchat has announced a new partnership with NBCUniversal. This collaboration will provide Snapchat users with access to a library of licensed audio clips sourced from a wide range of NBCU films and television programs.

Expanding Audio Options for Snaps

Users can now enrich their Snaps with audio segments from popular titles like “Saturday Night Live” and “The Office.” These clips can then be shared directly with friends or published on the Snapchat Spotlight platform.

Discovering the Source Material

When a Snap incorporates a licensed sound, viewers can swipe up to reveal the originating movie or TV show. A “Play This Sound” link is also provided, directing users to streaming services where the full content can be accessed.

A Comprehensive Audio Catalog

The newly available audio catalog is extensive, featuring well-known TV shows and movies. Some examples include “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Back to the Future,” “Billy Madison,” “Bridesmaids,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall,” “Happy Gilmore,” “Scarface,” and “Shrek.”

More Titles Available

The catalog also includes popular series such as “The Office,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Law & Order,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “30 Rock,” and “Friday Night Lights.” Furthermore, audio from Peacock Originals like “Saved by the Bell,” “Girls5eva,” and “A.P. Bio” is included.

Snapchat's Vision for Content Creation

Ben Schwerin, Snap’s senior vice president of content and partnerships, stated that NBCUniversal’s extensive catalog will be highly valued by Snapchatters. He believes the audio clips will allow users to more effectively convey emotions and context within their Snaps.

Existing Music Industry Partnerships

This partnership builds upon Snapchat’s existing relationships with major players in the music industry. These include Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, NMPA, Sony Music Publishing, Warner Chappell, Kobalt, and BMG.

Competing with TikTok

Snapchat is actively working to strengthen its position against TikTok, a platform that has gained prominence through short-form video sharing accompanied by music. Providing users with a diverse selection of sounds is a key component of this strategy.

The Success of Snapchat's "Sounds" Feature

Last year, Snapchat launched “Sounds,” a feature enabling users to add music to their Snaps. Since its introduction, over 521 million videos have been created using Sounds, accumulating more than 31 billion views.

Direct Messaging and Sound Usage

Interestingly, a significant portion of videos created with Sounds – nearly 45% – are shared via direct message. This highlights the feature’s role in personal communication between Snapchat users.