TV Music Licensing: Getting Music on Television

Television music licensing provides recurring opportunity for sync placement. Unlike single film placements, television series require music throughout seasons, creating ongoing demand. Understanding television’s unique characteristics helps musicians pursue this significant licensing market.

Television Music Landscape

Series require ongoing music needs. Shows with multiple episodes per season need constant music supply.

Genre variation creates diverse opportunity. Drama, comedy, reality, documentary, and other formats have different music needs.

Network and streaming platforms differ in approaches. Broadcast networks, cable channels, and streaming services operate differently.

Budget variation affects music selection. Premium dramas afford different music than basic cable reality shows.

Types of Television Music Use

Featured songs play prominently in scenes. These placements generate maximum exposure and typically highest fees.

Background music plays beneath dialogue or action. Less prominent but more frequent, background placements accumulate value.

End credits and transitions use music structurally. Opening and closing music serves functional purposes with significant repetition.

Promo and trailer use differs from episode placement. Promotional materials have separate licensing considerations.

Preparing for Television Placement

High volume of quality content improves opportunity. Television’s ongoing needs reward artists with substantial catalogs.

Genre diversity matches varied show requirements. Different shows need different sounds; versatile catalogs serve more needs.

Quick delivery capability suits production schedules. Television production moves quickly; being able to license rapidly matters.

Professional metadata enables discovery. Proper labeling helps supervisors find appropriate music efficiently.

Television-Specific Submission Approaches

Show research identifies appropriate targets. Understanding specific shows’ music needs enables targeted pitching.

Season timing affects submission receptivity. Supervisors searching during production phases are most receptive.

Library presence provides passive exposure. Sync libraries regularly serve television production needs.

Supervisor relationship building creates ongoing opportunity. Supervisors working on continuing series return to trusted sources.

Working with Television Supervisors

Understanding supervisor workflow improves interaction. Television supervisors juggle multiple episodes and tight deadlines.

Efficient communication respects time constraints. Brief, relevant, professionally organized submissions suit busy schedules.

New music notification keeps catalogs current. Regular updates about new material maintain awareness.

Flexibility with licensing terms facilitates deals. Television budgets vary; flexibility can enable placements that rigid pricing would prevent.

Licensing Terms for Television

Standard television terms differ from film. Industry-standard practices govern television licensing.

Media buying determines territorial scope. Different deals cover different broadcast territories.

Duration and renewal terms affect ongoing value. Initial terms and options for extension vary.

Most favored nations provisions can equalize fees. MFN clauses ensure comparable treatment across licensed music.

Maximizing Television Opportunity

Genre-appropriate music creation targets known needs. Understanding what types of music television currently uses informs creation.

Trend monitoring reveals current placement patterns. Observing what music appears in shows reveals supervisor preferences.

Multiple placement potential within single shows exists. Building relationship with show’s supervisor can yield repeated placements.

Series-long relationships compound value. Becoming go-to source for specific shows creates ongoing revenue stream.

Tracking and Collecting Royalties

Performance royalty registration ensures payment. PRO registration captures royalties when music airs.

Cue sheet accuracy affects payment. Ensuring cue sheets correctly document music usage protects revenue.

International performance rights add value. Television distributed globally generates performance royalties in multiple territories.

Mechanical royalties apply to certain uses. Understanding which rights apply to which uses ensures proper collection.