"CHOWN" stands for CHange OWNership.

CHOWNing allows us to move a video from one YouTube channel to another while keeping the URL the same, the views the same, and moving over the comments as well*! Both Vevo Content Ops and YouTube handle this process.

More FAQs can be found at the bottom of this article.

Types of CHOWN Requests

1. In Network CHOWN = Vevo to Vevo: Moving a video from an ArtistVEVO channel to another ArtistVEVO channel. This is typical if an artist has changed their name and is now using a new ArtistVEVO channel, or if a video has been mistakenly gone live on the wrong Vevo channel and we want to save the views.
2. Out of Network CHOWN = Non-Vevo to Vevo: Moving a video from outside the Vevo network into the Vevo network. This is typical if an artist/label uploaded a video directly to an Official Artist Channel (OAC) but now need to move the video into Vevo's network.

Please note: Vevo does not move videos from inside the Vevo network, to outside Vevo's network.

Process for In-Network CHOWNs vs Out-of-Network CHOWNs

In-Network CHOWNs (Vevo to Vevo):

1. Submit the CHOWN Request Form https://ops.vevo.com/chown/
2. Sit tight while Vevo Content Ops handles the rest for you! :) We'll follow up when we have updates.

Out-of-Network CHOWNs (non-Vevo to Vevo/ OAC to Vevo/ Artist Channel to Vevo):

(Please read carefully as multiple important steps must be completed correctly for successful out-of-network CHOWNing).

1. Important: Before you submit the form, Vevo Content Ops will ask that you release your claim on the video in YouTube CMS. YouTube will not process the CHOWN unless your claim is released. 
   For more details about this first step, see this support article "Starting your Out of Network CHOWN" (linked)
2. Deliver the video to Backstage to the channel invalidvevo.
   1. Delivering to this channel, invalidvevo will ensure a new, duplicate video is not published. Do not worry about changing the channel name. Vevo Content Ops will handle changing the channel name and adding the URL once complete.
   2. Please ensure the metadata (description, title, thumbnail, territories etc) for the video you've delivered is correct. This metadata from Backstage will update to YouTube once the chown is complete, so make sure what's in Backstage matches what you want to appear on YouTube.
3. Submit the CHOWN Request Form: https://ops.vevo.com/chown/
4. Vevo Content Ops will inform you once the CHOWN is complete.
5. To add the Vevo watermark to the thumbnail of your newly-Vevo video: The Vevo watermark does not automatically appear on the thumbnail after an out-of-network chown. Update the thumbnail via Backstage to add the Vevo watermark, or simply send a reconcile update and check the "thumbnail" box to add the watermark with the current thumbnail.

Bulk CHOWNs:

• All videos must have the same destination channel if submitting a bulk request. If there are different destinations, please submit separate requests. We need the legal agreement with the different channel URLs.
• If you would like to CHOWN multiple (15 or less) videos from an artist's YouTube channel to their Vevo channel, fill out the form for one of the videos, and then once you receive the automatic approval email, reply with the rest of the URLs you wish to be moved.
• If you are CHOWNing more than 15 videos to the same destination, please submit the CHOWN request form for one of the videos, then reply to the approval email with a spreadsheet. The spreadsheet should have two columns, one with the video URLs that will be moving, and one with the corresponding video ISRC for each URL.

CHOWN FAQ

Can a request be rushed if the video needs to be moved urgently?

Yes. Requests are normally submitted to YouTube for processing within 1 business day. If there is a need to escalate urgently, please flag your request as urgent and Vevo will work in conjunction with YouTube to get the video moved ASAP. We cannot control processing times once submitted to YouTube.

Will comments and views remain when a video is CHOWNed?
Yes. The advantage of CHOWNing is that views and comments are preserved, and the URL does not change while the video moves channels.

Help! The comments have disappeared from my recent CHOWNed video!

This usually happens to videos with thousands of comments, so if the CHOWN is for a priority artist, be sure to manage expectations. Please note that sometimes comments will move over several days, or weeks after a video is moved. In the case that comments disappear, comments will take a max of two weeks to move/reappear after the CHOWN. The comments will return. The comments cannot be rushed back, this is a limitation at the YouTube level. 

Link: The Comments have disappeared from my recently CHOWNed video

Will a CHOWNed video appear as a newly published video when it is moved?

No, the publish date under the video on the YouTube player will remain the same. Subscribers will not be notified. Virtually no changes take effect on the video except for what channel the video is on.

How do I check if a video has moved?
A sure sign a video has been moved is if the Vevo icon appears on the video (the bottom-right corner on the desktop YouTube player). If you're still unsure, contact Vevo Content Ops.

Why does the YouTube video player display the OAC instead of the Vevo channel, even when the video is moved?
When an OAC is merged with its Vevo channel, the OAC will always show up on the YouTube player, regardless of whether or not the video is on the Vevo channel. The Vevo channel watermark on the video (the bottom-right corner on the desktop YouTube player) is visible after a CHOWN, this is the most accurate indicator that the video has moved.

Will a video still appear on the OAC homepage even though it is CHOWNed?
If an OAC is merged with a Vevo channel - Yes the video will remain on the OAC homepage even though it is CHOWNed. If the video is no longer on the OAC homepage after a CHOWN - the channels may not be merged. Channel merging is handled by YouTube. If a content provider needs channel merging, advise them to contact their YouTube partner manager, or YouTube support.

How can the Vevo watermark be added to the thumbnail for a CHOWNed video?
The Vevo watermark does not automatically appear on the thumbnail after an out-of-network CHOWN. Update the thumbnail via Backstage or send a reconcile update to add the Vevo watermark!

My video was CHOWNed and now the description has disappeared?
For out-of-network CHOWNs: when you deliver the video to Backstage before the CHOWN, please ensure all the metadata you want to appear on the video is input as well. Once the video is CHOWNed, an update will be sent from Backstage, and if the metadata doesn't match, the metadata in Backstage will overwrite what's on YouTube.

Can a video that premiered be CHOWNed?
Yes. While this used to be a limitation, videos that were launched as a YouTube Premiere now qualify for CHOWNs.

Can I move a video from a Vevo channel to an OAC?
No. Once a video is in the Vevo network, it can not be moved out of the Vevo network.

Who can submit chown requests?
Only Content Providers can submit CHOWN requests. The process requires signing a legal agreement acknowledging proper rights and ownership to complete the request. We need the legal agreement to be signed by the Content Provider. Label reps, artists, or any other party should not complete these.

Can I submit bulk CHOWNs?
Yes. Please follow the instructions under the Bulk CHOWNs section above.

Can my video be private when it's CHOWNed?
No, the video must be public or unlisted. Private videos are ineligible.