STVDIO & Secretly Distribution Release Quarterly Report Highlighting Independent Music Infrastructure Challenges

When independent music dominates the charts, its infrastructure is quietly slipping under the thumb of majors.

STVDIO, a research and data firm that tracks the future of the music industry, and Secretly Distribution, the distribution arm of the Secretly Group, announced the release of STVDIO’s first quarterly report, Independent Music 2026: The Fight for Music’s Infrastructure. Published on 1 September 2026 in Los Angeles, the report is available for download on STVDIO’s website.

The study paints a paradox: independent releases still command 46.7 % of global recorded‑music sales, 35 % of streaming consumption and 40 % of album sales, yet the infrastructure that delivers those numbers is increasingly consolidated under major‑label and private‑equity ownership. The authors argue that the most urgent battle for the independent sector is at the operations level, where distribution, AI licensing, streaming services and fan‑communication tools are being reshaped.

A string of acquisitions in the first half of 2026 has pushed many independent distributors into the hands of major labels or private‑equity firms. As a result, an artist who believes they are releasing music independently may still be routed through a major‑label system without realizing it. The report calls this the “erosion of independent distribution” and warns that the loss of independent routes to market could erode the diversity that independent music currently provides.

AI licensing emerges as the next critical infrastructure layer. Major labels and large technology companies are embroiled in high‑profile legal battles over the use of copyrighted works to train AI models. STVDIO’s analysis suggests that the independent sector has a narrow window to establish an ethical, fair middle path for AI licensing. The report notes that independent labels and collectives could take the lead in creating licensing frameworks that balance creator rights with the needs of AI developers.

The third section turns to collectives and new models. Independent collectives such as Merlin and ORCA are described as acting faster and more effectively than major‑label‑owned entities. The report also highlights niche independent streaming platforms that are gaining market share from Spotify, indicating that alternative distribution models can still thrive.

Benjamin James, founder of STVDIO, wrote the report and emphasized the importance of independent infrastructure:

> "Independent music is the commitment to diverse, boundary‑pushing art. It is vital for diversity, culture, and balancing out homogenisation and consolidation. The same is true for independent infrastructure. We need diverse, independent routes to market and licensing structures."

Anna Bond, Chief of Staff at Secretly Distribution, added that the partnership is a natural fit:

> "Secretly Distribution is thrilled to be supporting STVDIO as they launch this revealing report. The music business ecosystem can be difficult to understand for too many rights holders, whether they are self‑released artists or decades‑old independent labels, and this opacity benefits exactly those who most threaten our sector’s independence."

The report is structured into three parts: 1) The erosion of independent distribution, 2) The AI opportunity for independents, and 3) The power of collectives and new models. Each section provides data, trend analysis and actionable insights for artists, labels and investors.

Independent Music 2026 underscores a critical moment for the independent music sector. While the industry’s catalog remains robust, the infrastructure that supports it is shifting toward consolidation. Independent stakeholders are urged to engage with collectives, explore AI‑friendly licensing models and advocate for transparent distribution pathways.

The full report can be downloaded from STVDIO’s website, where it is offered as a PDF and a web‑based interactive map. The publication is expected to inform policy discussions, investment decisions and strategic planning for independent music businesses in 2026 and beyond.