DistroKid officially launches video uploading tool

The official launch of the service follows DistroKid’s announcement that it was testing the tool in May. DistroVid enables users to upload an unlimited number of music videos at a fixed cost. The tool works with Apple Music, Amazon Music, TIDAL and Vevo for the time being, with more digital service providers expected to join in soon.

Artists keep 100% of their earnings from the videos uploaded. A DistroVid membership will cost $99 a year for DistroKid members, while it will set non-members back $129 for the same period. Extra artist ‘slots’ will cost $49 in addition to the standard annual subscription fee.

DistroKid said artists would be offered the option to distribute their content to the DistroVid Gallery, an upcoming feature boasting a collection of all music videos submitted to DistroVid, which will be unveiled soon.

“Many streaming services have begun playing music videos in addition to audio – but until now there hasn’t been a great way for independent artists to get their music videos into these services,” DistroKid founder and CEO Philip Kaplan said. “Our new music video service ... makes it super easy and affordable for independent artists to get their music videos everywhere.”

Vevo music and talent vice-president Jordan Glickson said: “We’re thrilled to partner with DistroVid to provide a direct pipeline to Vevo for independent artists. Now more than ever, music videos are an essential part of an artist’s release strategy, providing a valuable promotional opportunity to connect with fans on a deeper level. We’re so excited to assist in building an additional bridge for artists to their fans and to bring their music videos to more screens, and more music fans, across the globe.”

DistroKid is not the only distribution platform offering unlimited uploads at a fixed fee. Earlier this month, Believe’s digital distribution arm TuneCore introduced four annual flat fee plans that allow artists to release music to various digital service providers including Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music, albeit for music and not videos.

DistroKid is the biggest independent distributor globally. The platform distributes about one third of all new music in the world. It boasts more than 2 million artists and outperforms rivals such as CD Baby and TuneCore, which distribute about 650 000 and 250 000 artists, respectively.