Global indie licensor Merlin delivered some great news to the independent label community Thursday, and all of it was centered on international growth.
Explosive Growth In Latin America
- Merlin’s 2017 Latin American earnings increase five-fold in three years
- US member labels see streaming revenues from LATAM territories almost double as a percentage of their business
- Brazil is now the 6th biggest-earning territory for Merlin’s independent label members – ahead of France, Australia and Canada
- At current rates of growth, Merlin expects to generate over $60m in revenues in 2018 across its audio streaming service partners in Latin America, with US-based members representing around 50% of those earnings.
“We now have irrefutable evidence that the new dynamics of streaming are opening up previously inaccessible territories to independent music, with a phenomenal consumption surge in Latin America and across Asia. What feels particularly exciting is that we’re only at the start of this growth trajectory – and with potential of relatively untapped markets, including China, Russia and Africa, still to be realised.” – Charles Caldas, CEO, Merlin
Opening China To Indies
Merlin has announced its first participation in the fast-evolving Chinese music market – agreeing a series of strategic non-exclusive licensing partnerships with the country’s five leading digital music services: NetEase Cloud Music (NetEase Cloud Music), Xiami (Ali Music Group), QQ Music, Kugou and Kuwo (all Tencent Music Entertainment).
The deals create a new path for independent music businesses looking to enter the Chinese market.