SoundCloud announced today that DJs and producers who upload mixes and remixes to the music-streaming service will now be able to monetize them for the first time. As of today, SoundCloud is expanding its invite-only revenue-sharing program to include artists who create “recorded and live sets, remixes, and other user-generated content.”
SoundCloud’s Chief Content Officer Stephen Bryan said: “This will be the first time we’ve invited DJs and producers who create remixes and sets on SoundCloud to start to be able to monetize and participate in the revenue that we’re generating through ads and subscriptions.”
?DJs and producers? Exciting news on the blog today: https://t.co/wgzKDdZh3N
— SoundCloud (@SoundCloud) 13 marzo 2017
SoundCloud’s Premier program was launched in 2014 as a way for users to earn money off the work they upload to the platform. Like other revenue-share models, users who upload content to the platform are able to share in the income made through advertising and its two subscription services. SoundCloud’s competitors Apple Music and Spotify both have similar revenue models in place.
“Revenue that’s generated through ads and subscription payments by consumers is divided up and paid out based on how content is consumed,” Bryan said. Although he did not specify the exact metrics used to determine how much artists will get paid, he said that payments are based on “share of engagement” and “listening time.”
Last month SoundCloud launched a $4.99 a month subscription option, in addition to its existing $9.99 a month service. The platform currently has around 150 million tracks, including back-catalogs acquired via the deals it struck over the last few years with the three major labels—Sony, Universal, and Warner—as well as the digital rights agency Merlin that represents over 20,000 independent labels.
“This is the natural evolution of our mission,” Bryan said. “The ability to make money on our platform from the creativity [the users] are contributing to the community.”
The Premier program is currently invite-only, however Bryan said the company is increasing the number of people invited daily.
