The Royalty Game Ain't All the Same — Here's What You Actually Need to Know

Most independent artists know their distributor's gonna handle the basics — Spotify, Apple Music, all those interactive streaming joints deposit royalties automatically. That part's easy. But here's what catches people slipping: non-interactive services like Pandora and SiriusXM operate on a whole different payment structure, and your distributor might not be collecting from those the same way.

The difference matters because interactive platforms (where you choose what plays) and non-interactive ones (radio-style listening) have different licensing rules and payout mechanisms. One feeds you consistent per-stream rates; the other works more like traditional radio royalties. If you're not paying attention to which services fall where, you could be leaving money on the table without even knowing it.

This is one of those things that separates artists who actually understand their business from the ones just hoping for the best. Spend an hour understanding your distributor's full payment structure — which platforms they cover and how — and you'll catch gaps that'll add up over time. Small moves, big rewards.

Read the full story at DIY Musician → https://diymusician.cdbaby.com/music-career/digital-performance-royalties/