In October 2025, we will be sunsetting distribution to Facebook/Instagram/TikTok for our DEBUT membership. This change will allow our team to focus on building the best tools for artists on our paid subscription plans. With this change, you will need to be a DEBUT+ or SELECT member to release music in the future.
What does this mean for my account?
Your UnitedMasters account will remain intact, allowing you to continue accessing features such as your Wallet, Royalty Splits, and our Team Member function.
However, DEBUT accounts will no longer have the ability to distribute content to any platforms (including Music platforms like Spotify & Apple Music, and Social platforms like Instagram and TikTok).
Additionally, any currently distributed content associated with a DEBUT account will be automatically queued for takedown, meaning it won't be available on music services.
What happens to my current releases?
On October 29th, 2025, any currently distributed content linked to a DEBUT account will be automatically queued for takedown, meaning they will eventually be removed from their current platforms (including both Music and Social platforms).
My release is still up, but you told me they would be removed. What's that all about?
The takedown process can take some time, so there might be a period of time during which your content is queued for takedown, but has not yet been removed from streaming platforms. In this scenario, you will continue to earn royalties on your music up until its actual removal from platforms. You will still be able to cash out at any time, subject to any minimum withdrawal thresholds.
If my music is taken down, is it gone forever?
Existing DEBUT users will have a 1-year grace period from October 29th on, during which you can reinstate the distribution status of your music by upgrading to a paid UnitedMasters membership (DEBUT+ or SELECT). Once upgraded, any music that was taken down as a result of these changes will be automatically redistributed to its respective platforms.
However, after this 1 year, we will permanently delete our records of your music, and will no longer be able to automatically redistribute your content. If you'd like to redistribute after that year ends, you will need to re-upload your content entirely.
Will I still get paid?
You will continue to receive royalties on music as long as it is distributed on streaming platforms. Once the content is taken down, royalties will no longer accrue on your music.
That being said, seeing as platforms generally pay out 45-60 days after the end of the month in which the streams take place, you may continue to receive royalties for 2-3 months after your music has been taken down.
What happens to my royalty splits?
Any active Splits will remain in effect as long as the Split Owner has a paid membership (DEBUT+ or SELECT). You will also still be eligible to receive new Splits.
Can I still access my Wallet?
Of course! You can access your Wallet at any time and cash out funds at your discretion.
Note: your Wallet must have sufficient funds to cover any bank transaction/processing fees to cash out.
What happens if I want to submit future releases?
Moving forward, a paid UnitedMasters membership (DEBUT+ or SELECT) is required to distribute any new content.
What happens to my releases that are pending approval?
We are no longer reviewing release submissions from DEBUT accounts. If you have a release with a “Pending” status, it will remain in this state indefinitely unless you upgrade to a paid membership (DEBUT+ or SELECT).
How can I upgrade? Will my releases be back online automatically if I upgrade? How long will it take?
You can upgrade your membership at any time by logging into your account on either the UnitedMasters app or unitedmasters.com and going to the Settings section. From there, you will be able to upgrade to either a DEBUT+ or SELECT account.
If you upgrade within the 1-year grace period (until October 28th, 2026), your releases will be reinstated automatically. This process should only take a day or so.
How long do I have to purchase a subscription before the change takes effect?
These changes will go into effect on October 29, 2025. To ensure your music is not taken down on that date, you'll want to upgrade before then.
If you're a DEBUT+ or SELECT member, these changes will also affect you in some small ways - please review the articles below for more information.
As a DEBUT+ Member, how does the removal of distribution privileges for DEBUT artists affect me?
As a SELECT Member, how does the removal of distribution privileges for DEBUT artists affect me?
Comments
0 comments
Article is closed for comments.