Migrating videos to and from different YouTube channels is referred to as CHOWNing.
This stands for CHange OWNership.
There are two types of CHOWN requests
- 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.
- 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 out of Vevo's network.
Process for In Network chowns vs Out of Network chowns
Submit a request using the following form: https://ops.vevo.com/chown/
Submitting a request will create a ticket for content ops, we'll get back to you as soon as possible.
Bulk chowns:
If submitting a bulk request, all videos must have the same destination channel. If different destinations, please submit separate requests.
If you would like to chown multiple videos from an artist's Youtube channel to their Vevo channel please fill out the form for one of the videos and then once you receive the automatic approval email send over the rest of the URLs you wish to be moved. If You are chowning more than 15 videos to the same destination, please send a spreadsheet with two columns, one with the video URLs that will be moving, and one with the corresponding video ISRC for each URL.
In network chowns (Vevo to Vevo): Please submit the chown form, and Vevo content ops will handle the rest!
Out of network chowns (non-Vevo to Vevo):
(Please read carefully as there are multiple important steps that must be completed correctly for successful out-of-network chowning).
1. Please submit the chown form
2. Deliver the video to Backstage to the channel invalidvevo.
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 later!
3. Important final step: Once the video is moved by YouTube, Vevo content ops will ask that you release your claim on the video in YouTube CMS, and subsequently send a reconcile update via Backstage to activate the Vevo claim! The ticket will not be closed until this step is completed.
If this final step is not completed, the video may receive a copyright claim, the video may not be monetized, ads may not run, and the visibility of the video may be affected. This step only applies to out-of-network chowns.
Chown FAQ
Can a request be rushed if the video needs to be moved urgently?
Yes, please flag your request as urgent and Vevo will work in conjunction with YouTube to get the video moved ASAP.
Will comments, 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 recently chowned video!?
Please note that sometimes comments will move over a few 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. This usually happens to videos with thousands of comments, so if the chown is for a priority artist, be sure to manage expectations.
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 watermark appears on the video. Feel free to also follow up on the chowning ticket with 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 watermark on the Video 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 a out-of-network chown. Update the thumbnail via Backstage 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! There used to be a YouTube restriction where videos that had premiered on the OAC could not be chowned. This restriction no longer applies. A video that was a premiere, can now be moved to another a channel!
Can I move a video from a Vevo channel to an OAC?
No, once a video is in the Vevo network, it will not be moved out of the Vevo network.
Can Bulk Requests be processed?
If submitting a bulk request, all videos must have the same destination channel. If different destinations, please submit separate requests. If you would like to chown multiple videos from an artist's Youtube channel to their Vevo channel please fill out the form for one of the videos and then once you receive the automatic approval email send over the rest of the URLs you wish to be moved. If You are chowning more than 15 videos to the same destination, please send a spreadsheet with two columns, one with the video URLs that will be moving, and one with the corresponding video ISRC for each URL.