> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hypebot.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Merlin Has Paid Out $1 BILLION To Indie Labels
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/merlin-has-paid-out-1-billion-to-indie-labels/
- Published: 2017-08-28T11:01:46.000Z
- Updated: 2017-08-28T11:01:46.000Z
- Description: Merlin, the global digital music rights agency for 20,000 indie labels and distributors from 53 countries, has announced its billionth dollar in distributions, since launching in May of 2008. With. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2017/08/merlin-has-paid-out-1-billion-to-indie-label
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Uncategorized, Apple Music, Charlottesville, New York City, Soundcloud, Spotify, Streaming media, Subscription business model, TechCrunch, Tidal (service), Universal Music Group, Virginia, YouTube, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 10:05

[![Cash](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d2a4b690970c-200wi "Cash")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d2a4b690970c-popup?ref=hypebot.com)Merlin, the global digital music rights agency for 20,000 indie labels and distributors from 53 countries, has announced its billionth dollar in distributions, since launching in May of 2008\. With all of its payments coming from music streaming, this milestone points to a promising future for independent music companies.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

[![Merlin-logo-one-with-strapline-copy](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d2a4baa2970c-350wi "Merlin-logo-one-with-strapline-copy")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d2a4baa2970c-popup?ref=hypebot.com)  

Since signing its first commercial partnership in September 2008 as launch partner to Spotify, Merlin has now licensed more than 20 digital music services – including Deezer, Google Play, iHeartRadio, SoundCloud, YouTube Red, Pandora, Vevo and KKBOX.Now $1 billion in payments later, Merlin is often referred to as the “virtual fourth major.” In April of this year, Merlin announced a renewed multi-year global licence with Spotify.Merlin's membership represents 12% of the digital recorded music market, including Beggars Group, Secretly Group, Domino, Sub Pop, Epitaph, Anti Records, Entertainment One, Redeye Worldwide, Kobalt Music Recordings, \[PIAS\], Merge, Warp, INgrooves, Mad Decent, Naxos and Curb Records.

**"this billion dollars in revenues comes only from the new-generation services"**

“It makes me immensely proud to reach this landmark. Like all the best independent labels, Merlin is run with passion, as a lean and efficient operation – albeit with an extensive and profound global responsibility," Merlin CEO Charles Caldas said in a statement. “Even more inspiring is that this billion dollars in revenues comes only from the new-generation services that have launched since we did. In a market still in its early stages of evolution, the more significant growth is arguably yet to come.”**Streaming and revenue stats:**

**• The transition to a streaming market**

In June 2017, 64% of Merlin members report that streaming services accounted for over half their digital revenues – up from 46% in 2016, and 34% in 2015.

**• International growth**

Audio streaming has clearly opened new global markets for independent labels. 42% of Merlin members report that overseas usage accounts for a majority of their digital revenue, while Merlin’s revenues from Brazil have now overtaken those from France.

**• Consistent revenue increases**

In June 2017, Merlin announced 2015-2016 distributions to members of $353m – up 52% from 2014-2015.

Related articles

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/380102168_80_80.jpg)](https://tech.co/soundcloud-closed-funding-stay-alive-2017-08?ref=hypebot.com)[SoundCloud Closed the Funding It Needs to Stay Alive](https://tech.co/soundcloud-closed-funding-stay-alive-2017-08?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/noimg_80_80_80.jpg)](http://www.ibtimes.com/spotify-ipo-sec-looking-streaming-services-planned-direct-listing-2581035?ref=hypebot.com)[Spotify IPO: SEC Looking Into Streaming Service's Planned Direct Listing](http://www.ibtimes.com/spotify-ipo-sec-looking-streaming-services-planned-direct-listing-2581035?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/noimg_49_80_80.jpg)](http://mashable.com/2017/07/31/spotify-subscribers-60-million-going-public/?ref=hypebot.com)[Spotify subscribers grow to 60 million as rumors about going public heat up](http://mashable.com/2017/07/31/spotify-subscribers-60-million-going-public/?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/AV3wSxYb0FAAoAWTS8PV_80_80.jpg)](http://thatsdope.media/how-to-gain-more-streams-on-spotify-soundcloud/?ref=hypebot.com)[How To Gain More Streams On Spotify & SoundCloud | That's Dope Media](http://thatsdope.media/how-to-gain-more-streams-on-spotify-soundcloud/?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/379966216_80_80.jpg)](https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/168242/silverado-records-taps-heather-cramsie-and-kaylie-?ref=hypebot.com)[Silverado Records Taps Heather Cramsie And Kaylie Thomas Into New Roles](https://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/168242/silverado-records-taps-heather-cramsie-and-kaylie-?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/AV23qfs30FAAoAWTS3j3_80_80.jpg)](http://countrymusictattletale.com/2017/08/04/dylan-scott-surprised-with-frist-career-gold-for-my-girl/?ref=hypebot.com)[Dylan Scott Surprised with Frist Career Gold for "My Girl"](http://countrymusictattletale.com/2017/08/04/dylan-scott-surprised-with-frist-career-gold-for-my-girl/?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/noimg_117_80_80.jpg)](http://mashable.com/2017/07/27/google-play-music-youtube-red/?ref=hypebot.com)[Google admits it has too many music streaming services](http://mashable.com/2017/07/27/google-play-music-youtube-red/?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/379702189_80_80.jpg)](http://www.newsy.com/stories/music-streaming-company-soundcloud-faces-financial-struggles/?ref=hypebot.com)[A Big Music Streaming Company Is Reportedly Struggling To Stay Afloat](http://www.newsy.com/stories/music-streaming-company-soundcloud-faces-financial-struggles/?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/379758103_80_80.jpg)](http://www.businessinsider.com/how-music-streaming-service-soundcloud-ended-up-on-brink-of-existence-2017-7?ref=hypebot.com)[How music streaming service SoundCloud ended up on the brink of extinction](http://www.businessinsider.com/how-music-streaming-service-soundcloud-ended-up-on-brink-of-existence-2017-7?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/379576336_80_80.jpg)](http://www.businessinsider.com/soundcloud-cuts-40-percent-of-its-staff-2017-7?ref=hypebot.com)[SoundCloud will cut 40% of its staff, as it bleeds money and struggles to remain independent](http://www.businessinsider.com/soundcloud-cuts-40-percent-of-its-staff-2017-7?ref=hypebot.com)