Release planning for the end of 2025: How to avoid delays

The weeks leading up to Christmas are among the most intense phases in the digital music business. Many labels close out the year, DSPs are working at full capacity and listener activity shifts.
to ensure that releases are still released smoothly, it is worth taking a closer look at the time around the holidays.

DSPs at the end of the year: What you need to know

In December, the number of submissions increases sharply while processing capacity decreases.
For 2025, the same applies as every year: submit early, plan buffer time and avoid critical periods.

The most important points:

• High workload in December: DSPs process releases more slowly and metadata checks take longer.
• dig dis! absence: We are not available from 19.12.2025 to 07.01.2026.
• Finalize releases in advance: Any release planned for 2025 should be submitted well before December 19.

In short: the earlier you submit, the more relaxed your release will be.

Marketing: Why December is not always ideal

Technology is one thing. Marketing is another.
December is a special case in streaming:

• Listeners increasingly turn to classics, year in review playlists or Christmas music.
• Many curators take a break, which makes pitching significantly harder.
• New releases often get lost in the noise.

If your goal is maximum visibility, December is rarely the strongest month for brand new music.

January 2026: An underrated release window

What is challenging in December often works much better in early January.

Why a new year release can be a smart move:

• Listeners actively search for new music once seasonal playlists disappear.
• Curators and editorial teams are back at work, making pitching effective again.
• Competition is lower, as many artists pause releases over the holidays.

In short: January is an excellent time to start the year with momentum.

Smart planning beats stress

Submitting releases early and consciously avoiding December bottlenecks helps prevent delays and unnecessary stress.
Plan your December and January releases with us in good time and start 2026 in a relaxed and controlled way.