Music distribution service DistroKid is beta testing a new video distribution service – DistroVid.
The new video distribution service is focused on music videos. It asks indie artists to pay $129 a year to have their music videos distributed to platforms like Apple Music, Amazon Music, Tidal, and Vevo. Artists can distribute as many music videos per year as they like, and they keep 100% of the earnings.
DistroKid says that DistroVid is in beta testing to gauge artist interest. The company encourages artists to try it and give the service feedback on what works and what doesn’t. Early feedback from artists on Twitter appears divided. Some have asked why music video distribution is being silo’d off from the DistoKid offering.
Others think that asking artists to pay $129/yearly in addition to DistroKid’s prices is too much. It’s unclear where the service will land in terms of addressing those criticisms. DistroVid also has the DistroVid Gallery, a collection of all music videos submitted via DistroVid.
What types of music videos does DistroVid accept?
There are some restrictions on the types of music videos that can be uploaded using the service. DistroVid outlines those restricted video types alongside basic video format requirements. You cannot upload:
- Lyric Videos
- Promotional Videos
- Cover Song Videos
- No Mash-Up Videos
DistroVid File Formatting Guide
- File Type | .mov or .mp4 only
- Resolution | 1920 x 1080 or higher
- Duration | 30 seconds or longer
- Video Encoding | Variable Bit Rate only
- Video Scan Type | Progressive only
- Audio | 44.1 kHz or higher; stereo only
The new music video distribution service follows the same model that DistroKid does in terms of revenue. When stores send artist earnings back to DistroVid, it forwards 100% of that amount to your DistroVid bank. “We feel strongly that you shouldn’t give a percentage of your earnings for streams/sales to your distributor. You earned the money, not them,” the DistroKid website reads.
The only time DistroKid takes a percentage is when artists opt into the YouTube Content ID service. It’s an optional service that finds videos that use your music and tells YouTube to monetize them in your favor. DistroKid keeps 20% of the revenue discovered in this manner, while artists keep 80%.