How to Change Your Music Distributor Without Losing Streams

Sometimes a distributor stops being the right fit. Fees may rise, support may disappear, or your needs may change. Moving is possible, but a careless move can break your links and reset your play counts. The key is to make the new release match the old one exactly.

Before you begin

Read your current contract, especially the notice period and any exclusive terms.
Make sure all outstanding income is paid or will still be paid.
Download your statements and sales reports.
Confirm that you own the rights you are moving.

Gather the exact release data

For every song, collect the following:

ISRC and UPC.
Exact title and version.
Primary and featured artists, spelled exactly the same.
Original release date.
Composer, lyricist and producer credits.
Original WAV master and cover art.

Do not re-export a new master. Even a different mix can count as a new recording and may break the link to your old streams.

Upload to the new distributor

Create the release again with matching details, entering the original ISRC and UPC if the service allows it. Use the original release date, where permitted. Tell support that this is a transfer of an existing release, so that they can handle it correctly.

Wait until the new version is live

This step is where people make mistakes. Do not remove your song from the old distributor first. Wait until the new delivery is live in stores and confirmed. For a short period, the new and old versions may overlap, while the platforms merge them. Then request the takedown from your old distributor, following any timing advice from your new one.

After the move, check everything

Open each song on the main platforms.
Check that play counts and playlists remain.
Look for duplicates on your artist profile.
Test your saved links and link pages.
Check YouTube Content ID for conflicting claims.

Move a small test first

If you have many songs, begin with one less important release. Once it works correctly, move the rest in small batches. This limits the damage from any mistake.

Common problems

Play count reset: usually caused by a different ISRC or changed audio.
Duplicate tracks: may appear if the old release stays up too long.
Content ID conflict: both distributors may claim the same audio. Ask the old one to release its claim.
Missing lyrics: some lyric data may need to be sent again.

What about money earned during the move?

Platforms report income with a delay. Your old distributor may still receive payment for plays from past months. Keep your old account open until those final amounts arrive, and record what you are owed.

Is it worth it?

Compare the benefit of moving against the risk. If you have only a few plays, moving is simple. If your songs sit on important playlists, plan carefully and avoid peak campaigns. Never move a song during an active promotion or just before a big release.

Handled patiently, a move can be almost invisible to listeners. Keep good records from the start, and it will be far easier.

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