This article explains how details automatically ingests sales reports from DSPs delivered via the MERLIN Network, removing the need for manual downloads and recurring imports.
► What Automatic Merlin Ingestion Means
Merlin acts as a central licensing and reporting hub for independent music companies. Many DSPs deliver their monthly sales statements to rightsholders via Merlin.
details provides dedicated importers for these Merlin-delivered reports. Once configured, the platform automatically retrieves new files as they become available and processes them inside details.
This means you no longer need to:
- log in to external portals to download reports,
- manually upload monthly sales files, or
- maintain custom mappings for each DSP format.
► How the Process Works
The ingestion process follows a predictable, hands-off workflow:
- Sales statements are delivered to Merlin by the respective DSPs.
- details automatically retrieves the relevant reports from the Merlin delivery infrastructure.
- Each report is parsed using a DSP-specific importer maintained by details.
- Sales lines are normalized, validated, and made available for matching, reconciliation, and royalty calculations.
Importer logic is continuously maintained to reflect format changes, new DSP requirements, and Merlin updates.
► Supported Merlin DSP Sources
details currently provides automatic ingestion for the following Merlin-delivered DSP reports:
- Spotify Streaming
- Spotify Breakage
- Spotify Discovery Mode
- YouTube Shorts
- TikTok
- Vevo
- SoundCloud
- Deezer
- Pandora
- Snap
- Mixcloud
- Audiomack
- Anghami
- Boomplay
- NetEase Cloud Music
- Tencent
- Saavn
- Resso
- Soundtrack Your Brand
- Peloton
- iHeart
- KKBOX
- Trebel
- Flo
- Electric Jukebox
- Lickd
- Jaxsta
- Canva
- Rhythm
- Slacker
- Audible Magic
- AWA
This list is continuously extended as new Merlin-delivered DSPs are added or reporting formats evolve.
► Benefits for You
- Fully automated monthly sales ingestion
- No manual file handling or recurring uploads
- Consistent, normalized data across all Merlin DSPs
- Reduced operational overhead and fewer import errors
- Immediate availability for reconciliation and royalty runs
This setup is especially valuable for labels, distributors, and label services companies handling large catalogs and frequent reporting cycles.
► Ongoing Maintenance & Extensions
Automated ingestion from MERLIN is designed to save your team a significant amount of time by removing recurring manual work. Instead of downloading, checking, and importing statements every month, everything is handled automatically inside details.
To make this possible, details continuously maintains and updates all MERLIN-related importers. Reporting formats and delivery structures evolve over time, and importer logic needs to be adjusted accordingly to keep imports reliable and accurate.
From time to time, new importers are also added when additional MERLIN-delivered DSPs become relevant or when extended handling is required.
This ongoing maintenance and development effort is the reason why automated MERLIN ingestion is offered as a paid service. The fee is intentionally kept low and capped, while the time savings and reduction of manual work are substantial.
Sales ingestion fees (MERLIN):
Automated ingestion from MERLIN is a paid service. Because DSPs and distributors frequently change reporting formats, details continuously maintains and updates all ingestion logic.
- Base fee: 1.50 (0.15%) of statement turnover
- Minimum: 1 per statement
- Maximum: 50 per statement
Examples:
- 600 turnover 1 fee (minimum)
- 10,000 turnover 15 fee
- 33,333 turnover 50 fee (maximum)
- 100,000 turnover 50 fee (maximum)
- 1,000,000 turnover 50 fee (maximum)
Only the first import of a statement is charged. Re-imports are free. Multi-currency splits count as one statement.