Twitch's Cindy Charles Dies at 69 After Pioneering Music Licensing for DJs on Livestream

“There Will Be No Filling the Hole in the Universe Left by Cindy’s Departure from This World,” Says Her Husband in Heartfelt Tribute

Cindy Charles, Twitch's Head of Music, tragically passed away at 69 following a traffic accident in the Netherlands last week. Her death was confirmed by Twitch CEO Daniel Clancy on Friday (Oct. 18), who expressed profound gratitude for her contributions to the platform. “Anyone that uses music on Twitch owes a debt of gratitude to Cindy’s work,” Clancy shared, reflecting on her instrumental role in shaping Twitch's music ecosystem. He further noted that even in tough negotiations, Charles “always had a bright smile on her face,” particularly during the groundbreaking DJ music licensing agreements she helped secure.

Pioneering Music Licensing for DJs

One of Charles' most significant accomplishments at Twitch was leading the platform’s efforts to secure music licensing deals for DJs, which allowed them to livestream legally. The agreement, announced in June, involved collaborations with the three major record labels—Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment—along with several independent labels represented by Merlin. This was a milestone achievement, as it gave DJs a long-term solution to perform live on Twitch without fear of copyright issues, expanding the platform’s musical reach and community.

Charles was expected to speak on this topic at the Amsterdam Dance Event, one of the world’s premier dance music industry conferences, offering her expertise on how DJs could best leverage Twitch’s platform.

A Career Dedicated to Music and Innovation

Charles' career was filled with a deep passion for the intersection of music and technology. Before joining Twitch, she spent three years at Amazon, leading business development in the music department of Amazon Tickets. She also worked in digital music consulting for major platforms like Spotify and Beats Music. Additionally, her role as Senior Vice President and General Counsel at MediaNet Digital and her tenure at Viacom, where she managed digital legal affairs for MTV Networks, further established her as a prominent figure in the music and media landscape.

Her experience in the music industry extended beyond corporate roles. Charles served as an advisor to the Recording Academy and was a co-founder of Women in Digital, a thriving community of over 1,500 women focused on technology and digital careers. She also co-founded the San Francisco chapter of She Is The Music, continuing her advocacy for gender equality and women’s empowerment in the industry.

A Lasting Legacy

Charles was based in Berkeley, California, but her journey began in Queens, New York. She studied political science at SUNY Buffalo before embarking on her groundbreaking career in the music and digital industries. She is survived by her husband, Ricky Fishman, her son Ben Charles, and stepson Sam Fishman.

In a heartfelt tribute, Twitch’s Kira Karlstrom reflected on Charles' impact: “Every success, every setback, every moment of working toward our shared mission felt deeply personal because Cindy made it that way. She cared about her team with all her heart, and our work was an extension of that care.”

Her husband, Ricky Fishman, expressed the deep grief felt by her loved ones: “There will be no filling the hole in the universe left by Cindy’s departure from this world. She gave love and she received love, building a network of friends unrivaled by any person I have ever known.”

Cindy Charles' legacy will be remembered not only for her transformative work in the music industry, but for the warmth, care, and dedication she brought to everything she did. Her impact will continue to be felt across the Twitch community and the broader music world for years to come.

H/T Billboard