Warner Music Group is set to close its digital distribution platform, Level Music, which was launched in 2018 as a competitor to TuneCore, providing independent artists with access to major streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, TikTok, and Instagram.
As of now, no new content submissions or updates to existing releases will be accepted. Warner Music Group has also issued a statement confirming that they will be directing their resources towards ADA, the company’s independent label and artist services division.
“We’re focusing all our efforts on the ADA brand to enhance our global services for artists and label partners in the independent community,” Warner said, highlighting their commitment to expanding ADA’s global footprint with ongoing investments in technology and team development.
Level Music’s closure is part of a broader trend in the music industry, where DIY distribution platforms are being phased out. In 2022, Universal Music Group made similar changes with its platform Spinnup, which transitioned to an invite-only model before shutting down later that year.
As Level prepares to wind down operations, live releases will be removed from streaming platforms by November 18, 2024. Artists are encouraged to migrate their music to other distributors and download their assets to avoid losing playlist placements or play counts. The platform’s financial services, including access to artists’ Level Wallets, will remain active until July 11, 2025, with all funds needing to be withdrawn before that date. Final operations will cease by July 31, 2025.
Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl has expressed an interest in capturing a larger share of the so-called “middle-class” artist market, hinting at potential future investments and mergers.
