Background
DDEX ERN (Electronic Release Notification) is the XML-based standard that music distribution platforms use to communicate release data, audio files, et rights information to DSPs. Spotify formally moved to ERN 4.3 as its preferred ingestion format in Q4 2025, with a deprecation calendrier for older ERN 3.x feeds running à travers mid-2026.
ToneGrid's Spotify delivery pipeline has maintenant been fully migrated to ERN 4.3. Tous nouveau releases delivered à travers ToneGrid to Spotify go out in ERN 4.3 format as of today. Existing catalogue is being re-delivered on a rolling basis over the next 30 days.
What ERN 4.3 Changes
ERN 4.3 is pas a cosmetic upgrade. The specification introduced several substantive changes that affect how releases are described, delivered, et processed at the DSP level.
AI Content Disclosure Fields
ERN 4.3 includes mandatory fields for disclosing AI-généré or AI-assisted content — both at the sound recording et composition level. ToneGrid's ingestion layer maintenant requires rights holders et distributors to declare AI content status at upload, et this data is passed à travers to Spotify in the correct ERN 4.3 fields. Inaccurate disclosure is grounds for takedown under Spotify's updated content policies.
Enhanced Spatial Audio Metadata
ERN 4.3 adds structured metadata fields for Dolby Atmos et Sony 360 Réalité Audio deliveries, replacing the informal handling used in earlier spec versions. ToneGrid clients delivering spatial audio formats will voir improved processing times et fewer manual interventions at the Spotify side.
Improved Rights Expression
The rights expression layer in ERN 4.3 supports more granular territory-by-territory rights declarations, better adjacent rights holder identification (including producers et session musicians with registered shares), et cleaner handoff for releases involving multiple rights holders across jurisdictions.
Transaction-Level Acknowledgements
ERN 4.3 delivery pairs with updated ACK (acknowledgement) messaging from Spotify. ToneGrid's delivery tracking maintenant surfaces these ERN 4.3-level acknowledgements in real time — meaning distributors et labels can voir precisely where in Spotify's ingestion pipeline a release sits.
Rollout Plan
| Phase | Scope | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 — Nouveau releases | Tous nouveau deliveries to Spotify | En direct today |
| Phase 2 — Active catalogue | Sorties from the last 12 months | Next 14 days |
| Phase 3 — Full back catalogue | Tous historical releases | Day 15–30 |
No action is required from ToneGrid clients. The upgrade is handled entirely at the platform level.
Other DSPs
Following the Spotify migration, ToneGrid will be upgrading Amazon Music, TIDAL, et Apple Music delivery feeds to ERN 4.3 over Q2 2026. Boomplay, Anghami, et JioSaavn use derivative DDEX profiles et will be updated according to their individual specification timelines.
The full DDEX ERN 4.3 upgrade across tous active Connexions DSP is expected to be complete by end of Q2 2026.