What Kontor New Media does

Kontor New Media GmbH is a Hamburg-based digital content distributor founded in 2003 that delivers music, audiobook and audio drama (Hörbücher & Hörspiele), and film and series catalogs from rights holders to 290+ downstream shops and streaming platforms globally. The company serves 2,300+ licensors — independent labels, publishers, artists, management companies, and YouTube creators — across mainstream and niche genres, and manages 800+ YouTube channels as a certified Multi-Channel-Network with 15+ years of continuous certification. Operationally, KNM routes 70M+ streams per day, 170K+ downloads per week, and 168K+ releases per year through its platform, spanning 25M+ tracks, 204K+ audiobooks, 35K+ audio dramas, 84K+ compilations, 2K+ films, and 500+ series.

The technical core is an in-house proprietary Content & Supply-Chain Management platform — the DMB (Digitalvertrieb Management Backend) — a database with custom analytics tools, integrated Neighbouring Rights evaluation (in partnership with Lime Blue), and in-house quality assurance that ingests, enriches, and distributes catalog across delivery endpoints. KNM operates branded video destinations including three Amazon Prime Video Channels (KINDERWELT launched August 2021, Thrillbox November 2024, MOSAIK June 2025) and the FAST channel Crimify (June 2025). Owned and partner labels include Arising Empire (acquired June 2020) and BDKArtist (cooperation launched May 2021). Preferred-Partner recognition is held with Apple Music (Preferred Plus Distributor 2018 and renewed), Spotify (Preferred Provider 2023 and recurring), and YouTube, with Merlin membership signaling standing in the independent-music ecosystem.

The business model is B2B and transaction-fee based: KNM takes a distribution/commission share on consumption and sales routed to 290+ platforms, plus a YouTube revenue share from MCN channel monetization, plus subscription/FAST-channel revenue from operated branded channels, plus professional-services revenue from social-media and sales-promotion work and label-services revenue from in-house label operations. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed; go-to-market is sales-led with a "Partner werden" / "Kontakt aufnehmen" recruitment motion, supplemented by event-driven demand generation (annual KNM Digitaltag livestream conference and the Kontor New Media Live Lounge at the Reeperbahn Festival). Managing Directors are Jens Thele and Michael Pohl.

Name

Kontor New Media

Legal name

Kontor New Media GmbH

Website

https://kontornewmedia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Kontor New Media is a Hamburg-based digital content distributor delivering music, audiobooks, audio dramas, films, and series from 2,300+ rights holders to 290+ global platforms, and operating a certified YouTube MCN across 800+ channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Media Distribution

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Music Publishers (512230), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (512120)

SIC

Wholesale-Computers & Peripheral Equipment & Software (5045)

akta.pro primary industry

Content Syndication, Distribution & Rights Management Platforms (BPAMAJAN)

Keywords

• Digital music distribution
• Audiobook distribution services
• Video streaming distribution
• Youtube channel management
• Rights management services

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Digital distribution fees (music, audiobook/audio drama, film & series): Core revenue stream: B2B digital distribution of rights holders' catalogs (music, audiobooks/audio dramas, films & series) to 290+ downstream shops and streaming platforms. Kontor New Media takes a distribution/commission share on the consumption and sales generated (70M+ streams/day, 170K+ downloads/week, 25M+ tracks, 1.6M+ hours of audio repertoire).
2. YouTube Channel & Rights Management revenue share: Revenue from operating as a certified YouTube Multi-Channel-Network for 800+ channels, including ad-revenue share, rights administration, content-ID claims, and channel development — 1.5B+ YouTube views per month and 15+ years of certified partnership.
3. Amazon Prime Video Channel / FAST channel operations: Revenue from curating and operating Amazon Prime Video Channels (MOSAIK, Thrillbox, Kinderwelt) and the FAST channel Crimify, as well as co-produced/curated film and series distribution on Prime Video, Netflix, and Disney+.
4. Social Media & Sales Promotion services: Professional services revenue from social media marketing, sales promotion campaigns (Out-of-Home, Times Square, Uber Platz), and direct promotional support for partners' releases on national and international platforms.
5. Label acquisition / in-house label revenue (Arising Empire): Revenue from in-house label operations, exemplified by the 2020 takeover of Arising Empire (metalcore/rock label) which passed the 1 billion streams milestone. Includes recorded music, neighboring rights, and label-side services revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion5 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Kontor New Media is a B2B digital distribution company that delivers rights holders' music, audiobook, audio drama, film, and series catalogs to 290+ global digital stores and streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Audible, Tidal, Beatport, Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, and TikTok. It also operates a certified YouTube Multi-Channel-Network (800+ channels) and curates its own Amazon Prime Video Channels (MOSAIK, Thrillbox, Kinderwelt) and a FAST channel (Crimify).

Product overview

Kontor New Media is a Hamburg-based digital distribution company operating a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on its proprietary DMB (Digitalvertrieb Management Backend). The DMB acts as the supply-chain and content management hub that orchestrates delivery to 290+ digital shops. Around this core, KNM offers a portfolio of distribution services: Digital Music Distribution (with Spotify Preferred Provider and Apple Music Preferred Plus Distributor status), Audiobooks & Audio Dramas Distribution, Movies & Series Distribution (which includes the operated branded channels MOSAIK, Crimify, Thrillbox, and KINDERWELT on Prime Video and FAST platforms), YouTube Channel & Rights Management (as a 15+ year certified YouTube Partner), and Social Media & Sales Promotion. The platform also underpins KNM's owned and partner labels, including the acquired Arising Empire label and the BDKArtist distribution partnership.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Arising Empire: Metalcore and rock record label operated under the Kontor New Media umbrella.
• BDKArtist (Bube Dame König Artist)

Products and services

• Digital Music Distribution End-to-end B2B music distribution service delivering artist and label catalogs to 290+ digital shops and streaming services worldwide for music rights holders.
• Audiobooks & Audio Dramas Distribution
• Movies & Series Distribution B2B distribution of film and series content to SVOD/AVOD platforms including Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video for independent producers and rights holders, plus operation of branded Prime Video Channels.
• YouTube Channel & Rights Management (MCN) Certified YouTube Multi-Channel-Network service providing channel management, Content ID administration, rights management, and monetization for 800+ artists' and labels' YouTube channels.
• Social Media & Sales Promotion B2B social media marketing and sales promotion service delivering music content and running promotional campaigns (including Out-of-Home, Times Square, and Uber Platz) across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for partner releases.
• Content & Supply-Chain Management B2B content and supply-chain management service built on Kontor New Media's proprietary DMB platform, including catalog metadata management, in-house quality assurance, custom analytics, and delivery orchestration across 290+ downstream endpoints.
• MOSAIK Amazon Prime Video Channel Curated Amazon Prime Video Channel operated by Kontor New Media, offering film and series content to Prime Video subscribers in Germany.
• Crimify FAST Channel Free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel operated by Kontor New Media, focused on crime content and distributed on connected TV platforms.
• Thrillbox Amazon Prime Video Channel Curated Amazon Prime Video Channel operated by Kontor New Media, focused on thriller content for Prime Video subscribers.
• KINDERWELT Amazon Prime Video Channel Curated Amazon Prime Video Channel operated by Kontor New Media, delivering children's content to Prime Video subscribers.
• Arising Empire (in-house label) Rock and metal record label owned by Kontor New Media since June 2020, representing emerging and established international acts and distributed through KNM's infrastructure.
• BDKArtist (Bube Dame König Artist) label imprint Artist-focused label imprint operated in cooperation between Kontor New Media and BDKArtist, providing distribution and close artistic and marketing collaboration for signed artists.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70M+ streams per day routed through the KNM distribution network
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers23 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration17 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• SpotifyflagshipTechnology or IntegrationSpotify is one of KNM's flagship distribution partners. Kontor New Media has been recognized multiple times as a Spotify Preferred Provider (including 2023) and is a primary music delivery destination for its 25M+ tracks. Spotify representatives (Jennifer Masset, Global Head of Indies; Viktor Zajac, Artist & Label Partnerships Manager) have spoken at KNM's Digitaltag.
• Apple MusicflagshipTechnology or IntegrationApple Music is a core music distribution partner. KNM has held Apple Music Preferred Plus Distributor status (2018 and recognized through 2025) and the Apple Music Preferred Plus logo is displayed in the partner section of the site. Tracks are also delivered to Apple Music Classical.
• YouTube (Google)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerKNM has been a certified YouTube Multi-Channel-Network for 15+ years, managing 800+ channels with 1.5B+ views per month, providing channel development, rights management, Content ID, and YouTube Music delivery. The YouTube "erweiterter Datenschutz-Modus" is used on the website for embedded videos.
• Amazon (Prime Video, Amazon Music, Audible)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon is a multi-line distribution partner: Prime Video for films/series and for the curated channels MOSAIK, Thrillbox, and Kinderwelt; Amazon Music for music streaming; Audible for audiobooks. Series like "Die Dämonenjäger" hit #1 on Prime Video charts.
• Meta Platforms (Facebook, Instagram)coreTechnology or IntegrationMeta platforms (Facebook and Instagram) are distribution and promotion partners. Josh Nicoll (Meta) presented on the role of music on Meta platforms at the 2022 KNM Digitaltag. KNM uses social plugins and a "two-click solution" to integrate these networks on its website.
• LinkedInminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKNM operates a company page on LinkedIn for corporate communications and is part of LinkedIn's social plugin ecosystem on its website.
• TikTokcoreTechnology or IntegrationTikTok is a downstream distribution and promotion channel for music content; logo is displayed in the partner section of the site, and TikTok virality is referenced (e.g., Hanniou's viral TikTok duett with Lewis Capaldi).
• NetflixcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetflix is a downstream platform for film/series content from KNM (2K+ films, 500+ series catalog). Logo displayed in partner section.
• Disney+coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDisney+ is a downstream distribution partner for film/series content; logo displayed in partner section.
• PelotoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPeloton is a downstream music distribution partner (fitness-platform licensing). Tony Calandra (VP, Global Music Supervision and Programming) and Phil Napierala (Music Supervisor) presented at the 2022 KNM Digitaltag. Logo displayed in partner section.
• TidalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTidal is a downstream music distribution partner; logo displayed in partner section.
• BeatportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBeatport is a downstream music distribution partner (electronic/EDM focus); logo displayed in partner section.
• QobuzminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorQobuz is a downstream music distribution partner (hi-res audio focus); logo displayed in partner section.
• PandoracoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPandora is a downstream music distribution partner; logo displayed in partner section.
• MerlincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKontor New Media is a member of Merlin, the global independent-music digital rights agency, which negotiates licenses with streaming platforms on behalf of independents. Logo displayed in partner section.
• Jumbo Verlag (with label Goya)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHamburg-based publisher (30+ years, "Für Kinder nur das Beste") with audiobooks and children's books; Goya label covers youth/all-age and adult audiobooks (GOYALiT, GOYA libre). Distribution partnership with KNM announced 17 June 2026 for new releases and catalog.
• GrandfilmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent film label joining Kontor New Media's digital distribution for films and series, alongside absolut MEDIEN. Announced 29 January 2026.
• absolut MEDIENminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFilm label joining Kontor New Media's digital distribution for films and series, alongside Grandfilm. Announced 29 January 2026.
• BDKArtist (Bube Dame König Artist)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew label co-operation launched 3 May 2021 between Hamburg-based KNM and Berlin-based BDKArtist (MDs Julia von Dohnanyi and Lucas Pentzek). KNM complements its portfolio with a dedicated label imprint focused on close, detailed artist-label collaboration. First releases: Paul Gerlinger, FIBEL, Tristan Brusch.
• Frida Gold (Haus aus Gold)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFrida Gold (Alina Süggeler and Andreas Weizel) founded their own label "Haus aus Gold" and signed KNM as digital distribution partner (announced 28 February 2025). KNM executives Dennis Harm and Frank-Peter Leffler are named account contacts. First release under the new label: single "Neuer Tag".
• apmd. ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic cooperation announced 8 January 2025 between KNM and apmd. Management (Michael Demmer, Michael Pohl, Dennis Harm, Alexandre Pantalacci) to build an "Artist-Hub" covering EDM, Hip-Hop, Pop, and Rock. Led by producer RIBELLU; rosters include The Cratez, Da Hool, Benny Jr., IMMI, Lenny, Deorro, Enny-Mae, Maike, Joshi Mizu, Bausa, Maxwell, RAF Camora, Bonez MC, Deevoe, Neal & Alex, 102 Boyz, LX.
• Hamburg RecordscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHamburg Records is a label whose releases (ZSK, Rantanplan, etc.) are digitally distributed by KNM — joint chart successes include ZSK at #5 and Rantanplan at #7 of the German album charts.
• ACT MusiccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACT Music is a jazz/classical label whose catalog (including Michael Wollny) is distributed by KNM; KNM has dominated the Jazz year-end charts with ACT releases.
• Stars by EdelcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStars by Edel is the label partner for Thomas Anders; releases are distributed by KNM and have produced German album chart entries.
• Eskapaden MusikminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEskapaden Musik is the label for German-language indiepop artist MOLA; KNM has supported the duo's digital releases for many years.
• Mittwald CM Service GmbH & Co. KGcoreTechnology or IntegrationExternal hosting provider — KNM hosts its website (kontornewmedia.com) with Mittwald CM Service GmbH & Co. KG (Königsberger Straße 4-6, 32339 Espelkamp), data-center location Frankfurt, Germany. Used under a German Auftragsverarbeitung (data processing) agreement.
• Lime Blue (Christopher Davies-Smith)coreTechnology or IntegrationLime Blue (Christopher Davies-Smith, Head of Repertoire & Operations) is integrated with KNM's DMB to enable seamless evaluation of Neighbouring Rights directly through the platform. Lime Blue presented at the 2022 KNM Digitaltag.
• Dolby (Atmos Music — David Ziegler)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDolby Atmos Music (David Ziegler, Senior Content Engineer, Commercial Partnerships) presented at the 2021 KNM Digitaltag on object-based sound technology, partner-relations and Dolby Atmos-enabled distribution.
• Reeperbahn FestivalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKNM runs the Kontor New Media Live Lounge as a partner event at the Reeperbahn Festival (Hamburg/St. Pauli) annually, with showcases at the Zwick venue. Editions documented: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025.
• HABEWI GmbH & Co. KG (Reinher Karl — external DPO)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerExternal data protection officer: HABEWI GmbH & Co. KG (Palmaille 96, 22767 Hamburg), contact Reinher Karl. Provides DSGVO/BDSG/TDDDG compliance advisory to Kontor New Media.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Believe Digital: Paris-headquartered digital music company offering distribution, label, and artist services to independent rights holders globally. Closest direct comparable in business model — B2B distribution across 290+ endpoints — and similar multi-format expansion trajectory, but at materially larger scale with public-market capital.
• The Orchard: Sony Music-owned global music distribution and artist services company delivering independent labels to all major DSPs. Directly comparable to KNM's distribution-plus-services model and shares the same DSP relationships, but with the backing and catalog access of a major-label parent.
• AWAL: Sony-owned distribution and artist services platform focused on independent artists and labels. Comparable to KNM's premium-tier offering for indie rights holders, with overlapping YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Music delivery plus label services — competes for the same partner profile.
• Ingrooves: Universal Music Group-owned independent music distribution and marketing company delivering catalog to all major streaming and download stores globally. Directly comparable B2B distribution business with similar DSP preferred-provider positioning.
• Zebralution: Hamburg-headquartered digital distributor specializing in music, audiobooks, and podcasts to global streaming platforms. Closest geographic and operational peer to KNM — same DACH roots, overlapping service portfolio, and similar multi-format distribution approach.
• Soulfood Music Distribution: German independent music distribution company serving labels and artists with digital delivery and physical distribution. Comparable in geography and indie-label focus, competing for many of the same DACH rights holders KNM serves.
• TuneCore: Direct-to-artist digital music distribution platform owned by Believe, delivering catalog to 150+ stores globally. Comparable downstream-store aggregation model, though more self-serve / direct-to-artist than KNM's B2B sales-led motion.
• DistroKid: Subscription-based direct-to-artist music distribution service delivering to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, TikTok, and others. Same downstream-store breadth and catalog scale ambition as KNM, though targeting artists rather than labels via a different GTM.
• Bookwire: Frankfurt-based digital distribution specialist for audiobooks and e-books, delivering to Audible, Apple Books, Spotify, Storytel, and other platforms. Closest direct peer to KNM's audiobook/audio drama distribution vertical and overlaps on the German-language audiobook rights-holder base.

Broad incumbents

• Merlin: Global digital rights agency representing the independent label community in negotiations with major streaming platforms. KNM is itself a Merlin member; Merlin is comparable as a sister ecosystem player shaping independent-music distribution economics rather than as a direct channel competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/kontornewmedia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kontor-new-media/posts/?feedView=all
• Instagraminstagram.com/kontornewmedia

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kontor New Media