How Much Money You Can Make by Licensing Your Music in TV and Films?

How Much Money You Can Make by Licensing Your Music in TV and Films?
By Aaron Davison



When it comes to licensing your music for use in television, you can make as little several hundred dollars in performance royalties, or as much as several thousand per placement. I have received as little as about $350.00 for one song that was used briefly in a daytime TV show and as much as $3,000.00 for a song that was used in a different show and featured very prominently. Of course these figures are based on when the show initially airs and if and when a TV show is rebroadcast you receive another check! I know one writer who still receives checks for a song he wrote for an HBO movie thirteen years ago!

When it comes to films in theatrical release, independent writers usually receive at least three to four thousand dollars per song used. There are no performance royalties for films in theatrical release but if you're song is used in a soundtrack you will receive royalties for CD sales and if and when the film is played on television you will receive performance royalties for your music at that time.

In addition to performance royalties that you receive when a song airs on a television broadcast, you will typically also a receive what's called a licensing fee. A licensing fee is a one time, upfront payment that is made for the right to use your music. These fees range from 100.00 to several thousand dollars depending on the show. Network primetime shows pays more than daytime shows. Generally speaking, the more popular the show and the more viewers it has, the larger the budget the show has for music, which results in higher licensing fees paid to songwriters.

Aaron Davison is a Berklee College Of Music Alumnus who has been working in the music business for over ten years. His songs have been heard on a variety of television shows and he has performed live throughout the world. Visit Aaron's website, http://www.howtolicenseyourmusic.com, for more information on getting your songs placed in TV and Film.