To get your music placed in TV shows and films, you need more than just a great song—you need a “sync-ready” business. This means having high-quality WAV files, instrumental versions of every track, and “clean” metadata that explicitly lists your contact information and ownership details. Placements happen when you pitch these assets to music supervisors, sign with sync agents, or utilize a specialized service like Audiobulb’s Sync Pitching, which connects your music directly to global media opportunities while ensuring you retain 100% of your rights.
1. The 2025 Sync Readiness Checklist
Before you send a single email, your music must be “Sync-Ready.” If a supervisor loves your song but can’t clear it in 24 hours, they will move to the next artist.
- Instrumentals are Mandatory: Almost all TV placements use the instrumental version for dialogue scenes. If you don’t have one, you don’t have a deal.
- Metadata is Your Resume: Your audio files (WAVs or high-quality MP3s) must have your email, PRO information (ASCAP/BMI/PRS), and mood tags embedded in the file info.
- “One-Stop” Clearance: In your pitch, tell supervisors you are “One-Stop.” This means you own 100% of the recording AND 100% of the songwriting, so they only have to sign one contract with you.
2. The Two Paths to Placement
| Path | How it Works | Pros/Cons |
| Sync Libraries | You upload your music to a searchable database (e.g., Musicbed, Artlist). | Pros: Passive income. Cons: They often take a large cut or require exclusivity. |
| Direct Pitching | You email Music Supervisors who work on specific shows (found via IMDbPro). | Pros: You keep more money. Cons: Extremely competitive; requires high-level networking. |
| Audiobulb Pitching | We represent your catalog to our network of media partners. | Pros: Direct access to opportunities with 0% commission on royalties. |
3. The Sync Trap: Why a “Big Check” is Only the Beginning
Landing a $5,000 sync fee feels like a win, but for many indie artists, it’s a trap. Here is why:
When a song is played on TV, you are paid in two stages:
- The Upfront Fee: This is the flat “sync fee” paid by the production company to use the song.
- The Backend Royalties: These are Performance Royalties generated every single time that episode airs on TV, Netflix, or in international markets.
This is where the money leaks. Your distributor (DistroKid, TuneCore, etc.) helps you get the song on Spotify, but they have no legal standing to collect the backend performance royalties from a TV broadcast. If you aren’t registered with a global publishing administrator, that “backend” money stays in a global “Black Box” and eventually disappears.
4. Why You’re Losing Money Without Publishing Administration
If your song becomes the theme for a hit show, the upfront fee might be $10,000. But the backend royalties over 5 years could be $50,000+.
- Distributors Aren’t Publishers: They collect “Master” money from streams. They do not track TV broadcasts or international mechanicals.
- The “Commission” Hit: Some sync agencies or “Pro” distributors offer to collect this for you, but they often take 15% to 50% commission on your songwriting money.
- Global Gaps: TV shows are sold globally. If your song plays in the UK, Germany, or Japan, your local PRO (like BMI or ASCAP) often struggles to collect that money without an administrator connecting the pipes.
5. How Audiobulb Secures Your Sync Future
At Audiobulb, we don’t just want you to get famous; we want you to get paid every cent you’ve earned. We act as your global “collection office” for the life of your song.
- 0% Commission: For a flat $19.99/year, we provide full Exclusive Administration. We collect 100% of your global publishing and sync-performance royalties and take zero commission.
- Sync Pitching Service: We don’t just wait for money to come in; we actively pitch your music to our network of supervisors and media brands to help you land the placement in the first place.
- The “One-Stop” Partner: We make it easy for you to prove you are legally cleared, making you more attractive to Music Supervisors who want “clean” deals.
- Global Registration: We register your songs directly with The MLC, PRS, IPRS, and other international societies so your “backend” money flows directly to you.
Summary
Pitching to TV and film is the “gold rush” of the music industry. To succeed, you need great music, professional metadata, and a partner who can get your music into the right hands. But remember: the “Sync Fee” is just the tip of the iceberg. Without a publishing administrator like Audiobulb, you are leaving the most valuable part of your career—your long-term royalties—in the hands of strangers.
Your Next Step: Ready to get your music on screen? Join Audiobulb for $19.99/year to access our Sync Pitching Service and ensure that when you land that big placement, you actually collect 100% of the global royalties that follow.