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Global Publishing Partnerships: What Kobalt and Madverse Tell Creators About Reaching South Asian Audiences

ppassionate

2026-02-04

11 min read

How the Kobalt–Madverse partnership shows indie artists how to collect royalties in South Asia — with a step-by-step admin and metadata playbook.

Hook: You're making music — but are you getting paid where listeners live?

If your streams are growing but statements are thin, or you can't track who’s earning what across India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, you're not alone. Independent musicians often miss out on South Asia revenue because international publishing and sub-publishing networks are the gatekeepers that turn plays into real royalty checks. The Jan 2026 Variety report that Kobalt partnered with India’s Madverse is a reminder: strategic publishing partnerships open distribution and royalty paths that independent artists can — and should — pursue.

The high-level lesson from Kobalt + Madverse (2026)

In January 2026 Kobalt and Madverse announced a worldwide partnership giving Madverse’s community access to Kobalt’s publishing administration network. That deal packages two powerful levers for creators:

Territorial collection reach. Publishers and sub-publishers collect performance, mechanical and other publishing royalties in territories where local collection infrastructure and DSP relationships matter.
Distribution and marketing coordination. Combining a local partner’s market knowledge with a global admin network helps get recordings and compositions into regional playlists, short-form ecosystems and licensing pipelines.

For independent musicians, the practical takeaway is clear: you don’t need to be signed to a major to access these paths — you need the right admin, clean metadata and a targeted outreach strategy.

Why South Asia matters in 2026

Streaming in South Asia continued to accelerate through late 2025 and into 2026. Platforms invested in regional catalogs and vernacular content, short-form video platforms further amplified local hits, and brands increasingly licensed regional creators for commercials and film. That created more revenue sources — but also more fragmentation. Without a publishing partner or tight admin, earnings stay uncollected.

How publishing deals open royalty paths — the mechanics

Understanding what a publishing partnership actually does helps you evaluate offers. At a functional level a publishing administration or publishing/sub-publishing deal does three things:

Register & register again. The publisher ensures your compositions are registered with the right collecting societies (performance and mechanical), DSPs, and metadata hubs across territories so plays generate claims.
Collect & distribute. They collect performance, mechanical, broadcast, and synchronization royalties in territories where their network or sub-publishers have access — then pay you (after their fee).
License & place. They proactively pitch your work for sync, commercials and compilations and negotiate local licensing deals that a DIY artist often can’t access at scale.

Key royalty types you need to track

Performance royalties — for public plays (radio, venues, streaming).
Mechanical royalties — for reproductions/downloads and streaming mechanicals (varies by territory).
Neighboring (related) rights — for performers and labels (in many South Asian markets collection requires local representation).
Sync/licensing fees — one-off payments for use in film, ads, games.

What the Kobalt–Madverse deal signals for independents

The headline partnership shows two strategies that indie creators can emulate without a corporate signing:

Leverage sub-publishers and local partners. A publisher like Kobalt uses local partners (Madverse) to surface works to licensing teams and improve on-the-ground collection. You can reach similar outcomes by working with regional aggregators, boutique publishers, or specialist sync houses.
Standardize metadata so you’re discoverable. The single best predictor of collected royalties is correct, complete metadata across all platforms. If your metadata is messy, local collection systems can’t match uses to your works.

Checklist: Prepare your catalog before seeking international publishing ties

Do this audit before outreach. It increases credibility and speeds up onboarding.

Catalog audit. List every track you own or co-own (recording and composition). Note co-writers, splits, sample credits, and any third-party clearances.
Ownership documentation. Have split sheets signed or producer agreements in place. If you can’t produce a split sheet, prepare clear written confirmations from collaborators.
Assign and log ISRCs for masters and request ISWCs for compositions. Distributors typically mint ISRCs; publishers can register/obtain ISWCs. Record them in a master spreadsheet.
Get PRO registrations in your main territory. Register as a writer/performer with your local collecting society (ASCAP/BMI/SESAC, PRS, IPRS, etc.) and ensure works are registered with accurate splits.
Create a metadata master file. Use the template below and keep it up to date.
Consolidate release assets. High-res audio, artwork, lyric sheets, stems and repertoire notes — publishers and sync supervisors ask for these during placements.

Essential metadata template (copy into CSV)

Track title
Primary artist
Featured artist(s)
Composer(s) / lyricist(s) (as published names)
Writer IPI/CAE (if available) — list by writer
Publisher name & publisher IPI (if already assigned)
ISWC (composition)
ISRC (master)
UPC (release)
Release date
Language / territory focus
Split % per writer (decimal format; sum must equal 100)
Sample credits (yes/no + source)
Rights contact (email/phone)
Genre / mood / tags

Strong metadata formatting tips: use consistent capitalization, canonical artist names, ISO country codes, and decimal split percentages (e.g., 33.33).

Step-by-step guide: How to approach publishers and partners

Below is a practical outreach and negotiation workflow that independent musicians can follow to pursue publishing deals or sub-publishing representation similar to the Kobalt–Madverse model.

1. Target list (2–4 weeks)

Identify publishers and sub-publishers active in South Asia (look for press like Kobalt–Madverse, local companies promoting regional indie catalogs).
Include distribution partners and boutique sync houses who routinely place music in film, TV and ad spots in the region.
Rank prospects by fit: catalog genre match, active licensors, transparency of statements, and length of term. Use simple mapping tools and CRM checklists to build a ranked target list.

2. Prepare your one-sheet / pitch (1 week)

Your package should include:

Top 3 tracks (streaming links + WAV preview)
Metadata master CSV
Statement of rights owned (master or publishing shares)
Short tour/placement history and audience geography data (where your streams are coming from)
Clear ask: admin only? sub-publishing? sync representation?

3. Initial outreach (2–4 weeks)

Keep your first email short, link to your one-sheet, and say exactly what you want. Example opening line: “I’m an indie composer with growing listener bases in India and the UK — I own 100% of the publishing on these 6 tracks and I’m seeking sub-publishing or admin representation to collect and license in South Asia.”

4. Due diligence and red flags (2–6 weeks)

Ask for sample contracts and sample statements. Watch for:

Opaque accounting cadence or no audit rights.
Excessively long exclusive terms with automatic renewals.
High admin fees without services (know typical admin ranges: around 10%–25% for admin-only deals; sub-publishers may take more for full local exploitation).

5. Negotiation points to prioritize

Scope: admin-only vs exclusive publishing vs sub-publishing (territory-limited sub-publishing is common and useful).
Term length: prefer shorter initial terms (2–3 years) with performance-based renewal options.
Audit & transparency: quarterly or semiannual statements, online portal access, and right to audit.
Recoupment & advances: clarify what is recoupable and what is not (some publishers recoup advances; others don’t).
Split clarity: ensure your writer shares and publisher shares are explicitly documented.

Admin & metadata: Practical, hands-on tasks

These are the tasks that will make or break your ability to actually collect royalties in South Asia.

Register works with collecting societies — locally and globally

Register each composition with your home PRO first. If you're targeting South Asia, ask potential partners which local collecting societies they interface with (for example, in India a publisher/sub-publisher will know how to navigate IPRS and other local channels). Make sure split information is identical across all registrations.

ISRC and ISWC: two codes you must control

ISRC identifies the sound recording; ISWC identifies the composition. Distributors typically issue ISRCs; publishers or rights societies assign ISWCs. Keep both in your metadata master and include them in every pitch and registration.

Consolidate rights contact & micro-data

Many local DSP and broadcaster licensing systems use APIs and bulk data. Create a single rights contact email and list it consistently. Include publisher IPI numbers (if you have them) and legal entity names for payments.

Practical example: A 3-month plan for an indie composer

Week 1–2: Audit catalog, gather split sheets, export metadata master CSV.
Week 3: Register all unregistered works with your home PRO (and request ISWCs where possible).
Week 4–6: Build target list of 8–12 publishers and sub-publishers focused on South Asia; prepare one-sheet and a short pitch video.
Week 7–10: Outreach and follow-ups; request sample contracts and statements from interested parties.
Week 11–12: Negotiate at least one admin or territory-limited sub-publishing agreement. Start registering works under the new agreement as instructed.

Tools and partners to speed you up (2026 picks)

Publishing administration platforms — Songtrust, Kobalt, and boutique sub-publishers that offer online dashboards.
Metadata & catalog tools — Songspace, Auddia-style metadata hubs, or simple Google Sheets templates with strict column rules. See micro-app templates and spreadsheet patterns for catalog masters: Micro-App Template Pack.
Distribution services — DistroKid, CD Baby, Believe, and regional distributors who can issue ISRCs and UPCs and manage local DSP relationships. For context on distribution economics and streaming platforms see: Cheaper Ways to Pay for Music.
Rights discovery tech — fingerprinting and audio-ID services used by publishers to find unclaimed uses across short-form platforms (this is rapidly improving in 2025–26). Read about perceptual matching advances here: Perceptual AI & detection.

Common questions creators ask

Will I lose control of my songs?

Not if you negotiate properly. Many creators sign administration agreements that are non-exclusive or limited to specific territories and retain ultimate ownership. Always read the termination and transfer clauses.

How much should I expect to pay an admin or sub-publisher?

Administration fees typically fall between 10%–25% for publishing admin. Sub-publishing agreements for full local exploitation can be higher but may bring placements and local collection you’d miss alone. Weigh fees against the partner’s proven collection and placement track record.

Can I do this without a publisher at all?

Yes, but it’s harder. DIY artists must be rigorous about PRO registrations, ISWC/ISRCs, and submitting claim disputes when plays are reported incorrectly. A trusted sub-publisher accelerates collection — especially in complex territories like South Asia where local relationships matter.

Red flags and trust signals

Look for these as you evaluate partners:

Trust signals: clear sample statements, named DSP partners, case studies showing actual payments in your target markets, and public press (like the Kobalt–Madverse announcement).
Red flags: opaque fee structures, indefinite exclusivity without performance obligations, pressure to sign quickly, or requests for ownership transfers disguised as admin deals.

“A publisher without transparent statements is a black box. Demand clarity and digital access to your royalty reporting.”

Future trends to watch (late 2025 — 2026)

Localized DSP deals: More regional-first playlisting and short-form licensing deals; local partners will be the route to prominence in each market.
Better cross-border collection tech: Improvements in audio-ID and rights registries are reducing unclaimed royalties, but correct metadata remains the foundation.
AI attribution & detection: As generative audio grows, accurate metadata and documented authorship will be essential for protecting and claiming royalties.
Flexible, territory-limited sub-publishing: Publishers and sub-publishers will offer more targeted regional deals rather than global exclusives — beneficial for indie creators.

Final action plan — What to do this week

Export your catalog and create the metadata master CSV (use the template above).
Register any unregistered works with your PRO; request ISWCs where available.
Identify two regional partners (one distributor, one boutique publisher/sub-publisher) and prepare a one-sheet.
Send a short pitch to both, highlighting streaming geography and exact rights you control.

Closing: Partnerships unlock paydays — metadata unlocks the doors

The Kobalt and Madverse partnership is a timely example: global infrastructure plus local market knowledge equals better collection and licensing opportunities. For independent musicians the route is practical and repeatable — clean your metadata, document your ownership, register with the right societies, and approach publishers or sub-publishers with clarity about what you want. Do that, and you’ll start turning plays across South Asia into predictable royalty income.

Ready to take the next step? Audit your catalog this week using the metadata checklist above, then join a peer feedback group or contact a local sub-publisher for a short admin-only pilot. If you want a ready-made CSV metadata template and an outreach email pack to use right now, sign up for our creator toolkit — it includes scripts, a negotiation checklist, and sample contract questions tailored for South Asia deals.

passionate

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.