How Can Songwriters Earn From Sync Licensing in Film and TV?

 What Is Sync Licensing?

“Sync” (short for synchronization) refers to the use of a song alongside visual content. This requires a license from the music publisher (for the composition) and the record label or artist (for the master recording, if used).

 How Songwriters Get Paid

Revenue Type	Description	Collected By
Sync Fee	One-time upfront payment for the usage	Publisher or Publishing Admin
Performance Royalties	Earned each time the show/film airs or streams	PROs (ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, etc.)
Mechanical Royalties	If soundtrack albums are sold or streamed	MLC or Publishing Admin (in U.S.)

Even if only the composition is used (e.g. in a custom cover), the songwriter still earns sync revenue.

 Who Licenses the Song?

• Music Supervisors select and license songs for films and shows
• The license must clear:
• Composition rights (you or your publisher)
• Master rights (you or your label/distributor)
• You can earn from:
• Original tracks
• Covers of your songs
• Instrumentals or stems used creatively

 How to Get Sync Opportunities

• Sign with a publishing admin (e.g. Songtrust, Sentric) or a sync agency
• Submit music to music libraries (e.g., Artlist, Musicbed, Marmoset)
• Tag and organize your tracks with strong metadata (mood, genre, theme)
• Build relationships with music supervisors

 Pro Tips

• Instrumentals and vocal versions both boost sync chances
• If you’re independent, you control both master and publishing—you can approve syncs yourself
• Register all songs with your PRO and The MLC to collect backend royalties
• Keep a clean, licensable catalog ready to pitch (no uncleared samples!)

Bottom Line:
Film and TV syncs are one of the most lucrative opportunities for songwriters, offering big upfront payments and long-term royalties. The key is to get your music in front of the right people and be prepared to license it cleanly and quickly.