Independent digital distributor TuneCore announced today (April 29) that it has reached a record $1.5 billion in download and streaming revenue.
The Brooklyn-based service broke down some of the secrets to its success: TuneCore artists earned $83 million in Q1 2019, a 21 percent increase over Q1 2018. Last year, distribution income for artists hit $308 million, a 28 percent year-on-year increase. And finally, total streams and downloads by TuneCore's 250,000 artists amounted to a staggering 199.3 billion in 2018, a 83 percent increase from 2017, the same year that the platform approached $1 billion in artist revenue.
"TuneCore is the only global platform that pays artists 100% of what they earn from digital streams and downloads, while also meeting all of their needs across distribution, promotion and publishing administration," said Scott Ackerman, CEO of TuneCore, in a statement. "In 2019 we’re seeing great momentum in helping our customers build sustainable careers by finding new income across formats and channels."