YouTube collaborates with Universal Music Group to upgrade classic music videos to HD

YouTube has announced that it has partnered with Universal Music Group to upgrade classic music videos. The video streaming company plans to improve the quality of nearly a thousand such videos including those from Maroon 5,Lady Gaga,Billy Idol,Janet Jackson,The Killers,Meat Loaf,Beastie Boys, George Strait,Lionel Richie,Smokey Robinson, Lady Antebellum,Tom Petty, and others.

Most of the old iconic music videos on YouTube were outdated, suited only to be played on the channel with mono speakers. But, today, people watch videos on many platforms like desktop, TV, and mobile and prefer high resolution. In this case, old videos didn’t prove to be any good. Hence, the company plans to update both the video and audio quality to the highest standards in partnership with Universal Music Group.

However, this won’t change the URL on YouTube. Also, all the views-count and likes on the videos will be retained as it is. Basically, new videos will take place of the existing SD versions. The company plans to upgrade around 1,000 videos over the next year, and all the titles will be available by the end of 2020.

“It’s really an honor to team up with Universal Music Group and change the way fans around the world will experience viewing some of the most classic and iconic videos. The quality is truly amazing,” said Stephen Bryan, Global Head of Label Relations at YouTube.

The streaming will only be available onYouTube and YouTube Music (after the merger with Google Play Music). The new videos will be mentioned as “Remastered” in the video’s description.