Merlin Network
Market: Worldwide
Overview
Merlin Network is a worldwide digital music licensing network that represents thousands of independent record labels, distributors, and rights holders. Acting as the “digital rights agency” for the independent sector, Merlin Network negotiates premium licensing agreements with leading digital service providers, ensuring fair terms and access to top-tier distribution opportunities.
Market / Platform Focus
Merlin Network operates globally, partnering with major streaming services, download stores, and emerging platforms across all key markets. It serves independent music companies of all sizes, offering them the same competitive advantages as major labels through collective bargaining and strategic partnerships.
LabelGrid is a member of Merlin Network. Merlin is the independent sector’s digital licensing partner — as a member, LabelGrid helps the record labels and distributors on our platform reach the deals Merlin negotiates with digital services worldwide.
MERLIN NETWORK AT A GLANCE
- What it is: Merlin is the licensing network that represents independent labels and distributors in deals with digital music services — not a consumer store or streaming app.
- LabelGrid’s status: a Merlin member.
- What it means for you: your catalog on LabelGrid can benefit from the digital-service deals and terms Merlin negotiates for the independent sector, where applicable.
- How it works: Merlin operates at the licensing layer and complements your distribution — there is no separate upload or delivery step for you.
- Territory: global.
- Royalties: tracked in LabelGrid’s royalty accounting with automated splits.
LABELGRID
LabelGrid Integration
LabelGrid’s integration with Merlin Network Network enables member labels and distributors to deliver their music directly to Merlin Network-affiliated DSPs. Our system ensures high-quality audio delivery, complete and accurate metadata, and compliance with each platform’s specifications using Merlin Network’s negotiated deals.
Getting Started
If you are a Merlin Network member, you can use LabelGrid to manage your releases and deliver them to all Merlin Network-affiliated services. Simply select your desired platforms, upload your assets and metadata, and our system will handle ingestion, quality control, and delivery under Merlin Network’s agreements.
LabelGrid provides the tools you need beyond distribution: catalog management for your metadata and releases, royalty accounting with automated artist statements, and promotion tools including smart links and pre-saves.
What Merlin membership means for your catalog
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| What Merlin is | The independent sector’s digital licensing network, representing labels and distributors in deals with digital music services |
| Consumer store? | No — Merlin is a licensing body, not a DSP or store |
| LabelGrid’s status | Member |
| What you get | Access to the digital-service deals and terms Merlin negotiates for independents, where applicable |
| How it works | Operates at the licensing layer alongside your distribution — no separate delivery step for you |
| Territory | Global |
| Metadata | Your releases carry standard identifiers (per-track ISRC, 12-digit UPC) as used across your distribution |
| Royalties | Tracked in LabelGrid royalty accounting with automated splits |
Requirements can change — confirm current details with Merlin Network.
How does Merlin membership help my releases?
Merlin negotiates digital-service deals on behalf of the independent music sector. As a Merlin member, LabelGrid helps the labels and distributors on our platform benefit from those deals and terms where applicable — a licensing-layer relationship that complements your distribution rather than replacing any step. You don’t upload to Merlin; your releases are distributed as usual, and Merlin membership works behind the scenes.
Related: music distribution · royalty accounting · automated royalty splits · pricing · compare distributors · LabelGrid for labels · help center
WHY MERLIN NETWORK
Artist Benefits
By working with a Merlin Network-affiliated distributor like LabelGrid, artists gain access to platforms and promotional opportunities that might otherwise be limited to larger companies. This includes better revenue share terms, broader distribution reach, and increased visibility across partner DSPs.
Key Features
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Access to a network of Merlin Network-affiliated DSPs worldwide
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Premium licensing terms negotiated for independent rights holders
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Efficient delivery and metadata management via LabelGrid
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Global reach across streaming, download, and emerging platforms
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Support for regional release scheduling and territory-specific campaigns
DEEP DIVE
What You Should Know About the Merlin Network
Collective Bargaining for Independents
Merlin Network is a global digital rights agency representing independent labels. It negotiates licensing agreements with digital services on behalf of its members, ensuring that independent music is valued comparably to major label content. Merlin Network's membership represents over 15% of the global recorded music market.
Premium Deal Terms
Through collective negotiation, Merlin Network secures premium licensing terms that individual independent distributors couldn't achieve alone. These deals often include higher per-stream rates, advance payments, and favorable terms on new platform features. Merlin Network's agreements cover virtually all major platforms.
How LabelGrid's Merlin Network Membership Benefits You
As a Merlin Network Network member, LabelGrid passes the benefits of these premium deal terms to all artists and labels distributing through our platform. You don't need your own Merlin Network membership — LabelGrid's membership covers your entire catalog, ensuring you benefit from the best available independent licensing terms.
Platforms Covered
Merlin Network negotiates with Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, TikTok, Amazon Music, Deezer, Meta, Snap, and many more. These deals are continuously updated as new platforms launch and existing platforms evolve their business models.
Tips for Success
- By distributing through LabelGrid, you automatically benefit from Merlin Network's premium terms
- Merlin Network's deals can result in higher per-stream rates than standard independent agreements
- Merlin Network also negotiates terms for new platform features and emerging services
- Focus on quality and metadata accuracy — Merlin Network's terms reward professional content
RESOURCES
Merlin Network Resources
Official tools, portals, and documentation for Merlin Network.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Try LabelGrid?
Distribute your music to Merlin Network and all major platforms through LabelGrid. 7-day free trial. No credit card required.