Skip to content
KME Network

Free distribution

Free music distribution in India: how it works

Explore free music distribution in India: KME Basic eligibility, its 75% revenue share, supported stores, Content ID review and how to apply.

What does free music distribution mean?

Free music distribution can mean there is no subscription fee to use a plan. It does not automatically mean that you receive all revenue, that every service is included or that every application is accepted. Read the fee, revenue-share and eligibility terms together.

KME Network’s Basic plan has no subscription fee. It is available to selected applicants after review, with a 75% revenue share, one custom label, and unlimited artists and releases under the service terms. The free plan is an application-based option rather than instant account access.

See the current Basic plan

Who can apply for KME Basic?

Independent artists and labels can apply with their music and catalogue details. The review considers their music and online presence. An application is not a promise of approval, and a first-time applicant should explain what they intend to release.

Use the account type that describes your work. If you manage several labels, explain that requirement instead of assuming the one-label Basic allowance covers every label name. The team can discuss whether Basic or another plan fits your catalogue.

  • Provide an email address and phone number you can access.
  • Enter your artist or business name accurately.
  • Add an available music profile or business link; the form makes this optional.
  • Use the message to describe your catalogue and planned releases.

Follow the application steps

Can I distribute to Spotify and other platforms for free?

KME Basic includes delivery to supported platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and JioSaavn, subject to account approval and release review. Ask about any store or territory essential to your release before submitting. The phrase “all platforms” should not be treated as a guarantee that every service worldwide is included.

Spotify directs artists to use a distributor to deliver their music. Access to Spotify for Artists is free, but that dashboard is separate from the distributor’s upload process and commercial terms.

Prepare a Spotify release from India

Spotify: getting started with distribution

What happens to royalties on a free plan?

Basic’s listed revenue share is 75%. For example, if ₹10,000 is the revenue amount to which your agreement applies that percentage, the share calculation is ₹7,500. This is an illustration, not a forecast or a final payout statement; the agreement defines the calculation and any adjustments.

KME makes royalty payments monthly when the available balance is above ₹3,000. Exactly ₹3,000 does not meet that threshold. Platform reporting and payment affect when earnings become available, so a song going live does not mean an immediate payout.

Understand payout and takedown timelines

Does free distribution include YouTube Content ID?

KME Basic lists Content ID for eligible recordings. This is a separate eligibility decision from streaming delivery, and the free plan does not remove the rights requirements.

YouTube requires exclusive rights to material used as Content ID references. Non-exclusive licensed material can be ineligible. Disclose beats, samples and other third-party material during review; a permission to distribute does not by itself establish Content ID eligibility.

Basic includes email and ticket support. Caller tunes, Official Artist Channel requests and other services differ by plan. Check the feature comparison rather than assuming that every service is part of free distribution.

Review YouTube’s Content ID eligibility rules

Compare included services

How to start without choosing the wrong plan

Prepare the audio, artwork, credits, permissions and intended release date before applying. After account approval, follow the dashboard requirements and submit the release for review. Allow time for corrections and platform processing before announcing a date.

Choose around the number of labels and services you need, not only the word “free”. If you need more label capacity or your own branding, compare Professional and Enterprise. Read renewal and exit terms before agreeing to a paid plan.

KME takedowns are free across plans. Small requests of 1–6 songs take 3–4 days; bulk requests take one month. Removing the entire catalogue requires at least three months of advance notice. Keep those conditions in your release plan.

Prepare your release files

Compare music distribution costs

Put the next step in motion.

Apply for Basic review ↗

Keep reading.

More from KME Network.

Labels & catalogues

Music distribution for record labels: a practical guide

Plan music distribution for record labels: organise artist details, compare label limits, prepare releases and understand multi-label and distributor access.

Read guide ↗

Choosing distribution

How to choose a music distributor in India

Compare music distribution platforms for your catalogue: supported stores, costs, royalty share, label limits, release support and exit terms in India.

Read guide ↗

Costs & plans

Music distribution cost in India: free vs paid

Understand music distribution costs in India, royalty shares and GST. Compare KME plans, including Professional at ₹4,500 for 3 years with GST included.

Read guide ↗

Spotify release guide

How to release a song on Spotify in India

Learn how to release a song on Spotify from India: choose distribution, compare costs, prepare your files, claim your artist profile and plan your release.

Read guide ↗

Getting started

How to apply for music distribution

Choose your account type, prepare your details and understand what happens after you apply for KME Network distribution access.

Read guide ↗

Release preparation

Music release checklist: prepare for distribution

Prepare your audio, artwork, artist names, credits and release details before submitting music for distribution review.

Read guide ↗

Account support

Music royalty payouts and takedowns explained

Understand KME Network’s monthly royalty payout threshold, free takedowns, small-request timelines, bulk removals and full-catalogue notice period.

Read guide ↗