COVID-19: SoundCloud launches new distribution platform

The new platform, which is available to all SoundCloud users, will allow musicians to distribute their songs through 25 major services including Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and Instagram. No play count thresholds will apply.

SoundCloud says the new platform is aimed at serious artists who want to take their career to the next level while still allowing them to remain independent.

Artists will also be able to monetise their SoundCloud plays and get access to the platform's marketing and promotional tools.

Artists who distribute their songs through Repost will get to keep 80% of the revenue from music services like Spotify and Apple Music and 100% of revenue from SoundCloud plays.

Repost costs $30 a year and the service will automatically be included for free in Pro Unlimited packages that SoundCloud made 50% cheaper last week.

The launch of Repost is part of a series of initiatives that SoundCloud has introduced following the adverse impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on the music industry.

“As the coronavirus crisis has unfolded, we’ve seen a global outpouring of tracks on SoundCloud, with a 50% surge in creators uploading in the past month alone,” SoundCloud CEO Kerry Trainor said. “But behind this creative response, we know there continues to be financial loss and uncertainty for our creator community.”

The company also introduced a new financial support button that users can add to their SoundCloud page. The button can be used to direct fans to a preferred service such as PayPal, Kickstarter, Patreon and Bandcamp.

SoundCloud also made $5m free for in-app promotional support available for users to drive more plays. Up to five artists will be selected every week to feature in the promotion.

In addition, the company invested $10m towards an artist accelerator programme that will support independent creators to grow their careers. Interested artists can apply here.

SoundCloud has been making recent efforts to help creators amid the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition to reducing subscription fees for the Pro Unlimited package, the company recently partnered with Twitch on a service that could give artists quicker access to money.