What is Music Distribution?

Today, music distribution means something radically different than it used to. Back in the days of the pre-digital music industry when radio stations, cassette tapes, CDs, and vinyl records were the only listening formats available for audiences, music distribution companies were closely linked with mainstream record labels who only championed the most marketable forms of music.

If your music was deemed worthy by a record label, you’d sign a record contract and would then be then granted access to distribution companies with the resources to put physical versions of your music in stores in your country, or if you were really successful, around the world as well.

But around the turn of the century shortly after the panic surrounding Y2k subsided, music underwent a drastic transformation, as did the companies that distributed it. Albums, cassette tapes, vinyl records, and radio stations are still around, but they’re no longer the dominant listening formats for music. For the first time in music history, creators of all budgets, fanbases, musical genres, and experience levels now have the power to put their music in front of audiences across the planet through digital music distribution companies.

Whether you’re 50-year-old musician with a couple of Grammys under your belt or a teenager who records music in your bedroom, a growing number of distribution companies are out there that can take digital forms of your music and share them online with the masses.

Physical music distribution is more or less the same that it’s always been, though there are more independent labels today than ever sharing the work of artists who never would’ve gotten the chance to reach wide audiences in the pre-digital music industry. Physical forms of music still benefit artists in their mission to connect with audiences, but not nearly as much by making music available to listeners on streaming platforms.

According to statistics published by theRecording Industry Association of America, CD sales accounted for a meager 7.1% of music industry revenue in the US in 2018 with digital formats largely accounting for the remaining billion dollars of revenue.

A good option, now it is important to properly distribute music so that music revenue streams can be made. There are many services and companies that can help you achieve your goals faster.