Believe-owned digital distribution company TuneCore launches in India

By Emmanuel Legrand

TuneCore, the distribution and services company for independent artists, has launched in India, with industry veteran Heena Kriplani serving as TuneCore’s Country Manager for India. Believe-owned TuneCore will provide access to the world's leading streaming services, including Spotify, iTunes/Apple Music, YouTube Music, Amazon Music and Deezer in India.

  The company said that it already provides access to local streaming platform JioSaavn and that deals with Gaana, Hungama and Wynk will be "coming soon."

  Believe was established in India in 2013 and has over 140 employees working in offices in Mumbai, New Delhi and Chennai, under the leadership of General Manager Vivek Raina. “Our global expansion into India not only allows us to further our mission of supporting our artists at the local level, in the best way possible," said Denis Ladegaillerie, CEO of Believe. "TuneCore uniquely pays 100 percent of 100 percent of what is collected from the digital services, which has made the company the leader in helping artists get what they deserve.”

An artist-centric approach

  TuneCore will roll out in India (at TuneCore.in) its services to Indian customers such as YouTube Sound Recording Revenue collection service, Facebook/Instagram Music, and TuneCore Fan Reviews, as well as TuneCore's customer support. As in the rest of the world, TuneCore will charge clients a flat fee rather than take a percentage of revenues. As an introductory offer, TuneCore artists in India will get 50% off the regular distribution costs with singles available for ₹499 (€8.87) instead of the regular price of ₹999 (€11.76) and the first year distribution for albums is available for ₹1499 (€17.64) instead of ₹2899 (€34.12).

  "TuneCore and Believe’s artist centric approach aligns seamlessly with my own. India has always had a unique music landscape and I’m glad we’re able to service local, independent artists with tools created specifically for keeping their global reach and local needs in mind,” said Kriplani. “TuneCore.in aims to be part of the solution and, with our store and streaming partners, we will help democratize the music ecosystem in India while enabling every artist to be heard across borders, without giving up their rights or revenue.”

  TuneCore said that it pays out "well over" $1 million each day and that since the company's inception in 2006, it has distributed over $1.8 billion collectively to its clients.