Merlin Network
Market: Worldwide
Overview
Merlin Network is a worldwide digital music licensing network. Merlin reports 500+ members representing more than 30,000 record labels. Acting as the “digital rights agency” for the independent sector, Merlin Network negotiates one collective agreement per digital service on behalf of its members.
Market / Platform Focus
Merlin Network operates globally. Its agreements cover a curated set of digital services, including Spotify, Deezer, SoundCloud, YouTube, Pandora and Meta; Apple Music, Amazon Music and Tidal license directly instead. Its roster changes over time, so check Merlin Network’s own partners page for the current list. It serves independent music companies of all sizes.
LabelGrid is a member of Merlin Network. Merlin is the independent sector’s digital licensing partner — LabelGrid delivers your releases to the major streaming platforms through its standard distribution.
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: nothing changes in how you distribute — your releases reach the major streaming platforms through standard LabelGrid distribution, member or not.
- How it works: Merlin operates at the licensing layer for its members. Your releases are delivered through standard LabelGrid distribution.
- Territory: global.
- Royalties: tracked in LabelGrid’s royalty accounting; automated splits from the Basic plan up.
LABELGRID
LabelGrid Integration
On Custom Distribution and API plans, LabelGrid can deliver a member label’s or distributor’s releases under that member’s own Merlin licences, service by service. Our system ensures high-quality audio delivery with complete, accurate metadata that meets each platform’s specifications.
Getting Started
On any plan, you can use LabelGrid to manage your releases and deliver them through standard LabelGrid distribution: select your desired platforms, upload your assets and metadata, and our system will handle ingestion, quality control, and delivery. If you hold your own Merlin Network membership, delivery under your own licences is available on Custom Distribution and API plans, set up service by service.
LabelGrid provides the tools you need beyond distribution: catalog management for your metadata and releases, royalty accounting with automated artist statements from the Basic plan up, and promotion tools including smart links and pre-saves.
What Merlin is, and what LabelGrid’s membership is not
| 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 |
| Your distribution | Standard LabelGrid distribution to the major streaming platforms — the same whether or not you are a Merlin member |
| How it works | Merlin operates at the licensing layer for its members — your releases are delivered through standard LabelGrid distribution |
| Territory | Global |
| Metadata | Your releases carry standard identifiers (per-track ISRC, 12- or 13-digit UPC/EAN) as used across your distribution |
| Royalties | Tracked in LabelGrid royalty accounting; automated splits from the Basic plan up |
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. LabelGrid is a Merlin member. Your releases are distributed as usual to the major streaming platforms through standard LabelGrid distribution.
Related: music distribution · royalty accounting · automated royalty splits · pricing · compare distributors · LabelGrid for labels · help center
WHY MERLIN NETWORK
Artist Benefits
LabelGrid delivers your releases to the major streaming platforms worldwide, with metadata prepared to each platform's specifications.
Key Features
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Worldwide delivery to the major streaming platforms
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Delivery to the major streaming platforms worldwide
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Efficient delivery and metadata management via LabelGrid
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Global reach across streaming services, download stores and new 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 one collective agreement per digital service on behalf of its members. Merlin Network's membership represents approximately 15% of the global recorded music market.
Collective Licensing
Merlin Network negotiates one collective agreement per digital service on behalf of its members. Its agreements cover a curated set of digital services; several major platforms license directly instead.
LabelGrid and Merlin Network
LabelGrid is a Merlin Network member. Your releases reach the major streaming platforms through standard LabelGrid distribution.
Platforms Covered
Merlin Network negotiates with a curated set of digital services, including Spotify, Deezer, SoundCloud, YouTube, Pandora and Meta. Its roster changes over time, so check Merlin Network's own partners page for the current list.
Tips for Success
- Your releases reach the major streaming platforms through standard LabelGrid distribution
- Focus on quality and metadata accuracy — clean metadata is what gets a release accepted and correctly attributed
RESOURCES
Merlin Network Resources
Official tools and documentation for Merlin Network.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
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