Submit Music for Film & TV — Without Losing Your Rights

TL;DR (Key Takeaway): This guide shows independent artists how to submit their music for film and TV placements — without giving up rights, falling for pay-to-pitch traps, or missing backend royalties. Learn how to prep, pitch, and protect your music for sync deals that work for you.

Picture This:

Found time for it where you could — after work, between shifts, half-asleep. No team. No label. Just you, following what felt right.

And you can picture it — playing softly under a scene, adding just the right feel.

So how do you actually get there?

How do you go from files on your hard drive to a sync deal that pays — without paying to pitch, signing your rights away, or waiting to be discovered?

That’s what this guide breaks down.
How to prep, pitch, and protect your music for film and TV.

Why This Matters: The Sync Dream Is Real (But So Are the Traps)

Landing a sync deal means more than just hearing your song on screen. It means royalties, reach, and reputation. Film and TV placements can be game-changing — offering real income, real exposure, and creative validation.

But the sync world is full of dead ends: pay-to-submit platforms, exclusive libraries that grab 50% of backend royalties, and generic advice that leaves you stuck. In the first half of 2022, U.S. synchronization royalties hit $178 million — up 29.9% year-over-year, according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Meanwhile, 46% of all music used on top broadcast and cable TV comes from production libraries, not independent artists.

Here’s the truth: You don’t need to pay your way in. You need a clean catalog, a sharp pitch, and a solid paper trail.

What Music Supervisors Look For in a Sync-Ready Track

Music supervisors aren’t digging through demos hoping to discover you. They’re on tight deadlines — if your track isn’t ready to license, they’ll move on.

Here’s what they need:

• Cleared rights – You either own the master and publishing, or have written permission from whoever does. No uncleared samples. No missing splits.
  
• Proper audio files – WAVs only. These are uncompressed, high-quality files that hold up on screen. Include clean versions and instrumentals too.
  
• Complete metadata – Title, genre, mood, BPM, PRO info, writer/publisher splits, and your contact details — all clearly labeled and easy to find.
  

It’s not just about quality. It’s about speed, trust, and fit.

If your track’s clear, clean, and ready to drop in, you’ve already done more than most.

Make Your Track Syncable

Want to increase your odds? Start at the songwriting level.

• Think in layers. Tracks that evolve over 2–3 minutes with emotional build work better than static loops.
• Leave room for dialogue. Instrumentals or minimal vocal versions often get picked over full songs.
• Keep it universal. Lyrics that are too specific, personal, or political may limit placement potential.

Your song doesn’t need to be perfect — it just needs to serve the scene.

What Rights Do You Need to Clear?

A sync deal covers two parts of your song:

• The Master — the actual recording
• The Publishing — the underlying composition

You need to control—or have written permission for—both. This is the foundation of music licensing for TV and film. That means:

• No uncleared samples
• No co-writer confusion
• No guesswork about splits

Not sure what the difference is between master and publishing rights? Here’s a breakdown.

Before you pitch, confirm your ownership with a splitsheet (a short agreement showing who owns what percentage of the song) and register everything with your PRO. If you’re still figuring that out, here’s a guide to get registered. Melody Rights helps you do both in one place.

Still fuzzy on the difference between master and publishing rights? This guide breaks it down clearly.

Sync-Submission Prep Checklist (Sidebar or Downloadable)

• ✅ Final master WAV
• ✅ Instrumental and stem versions
• ✅ Metadata doc (a spreadsheet listing details like title, genre, mood, BPM, songwriter names, split percentages, and PRO registrations)
• ✅ Signed splitsheets
• ✅ PRO registration confirmation
• ✅ Pitch-ready folder with streaming link + download option

This is your sync deal checklist — your submission toolkit. Keep it tight. Keep it ready. Save this checklist. Better yet, make it your template.

Choose Your Sync Path

There’s no one way to land a sync deal — each path comes with pros, trade-offs, and fine print.

1. Sync Agents & Publishers

They handle the pitching and paperwork, often with strong industry connections. But they don’t work for free.

• Most take 20–50% of the sync fee, depending on your deal.
  
• That fee is usually split 50/50 between master and publishing rights — so your take-home may be smaller than it looks.
  
• Agents typically work with artists who already have momentum: a solid catalog, buzz, or past placements.
  

They can open doors — but it costs you in control and revenue.

2. Music Libraries

Upload your tracks, add metadata, and wait. Some are non-exclusive — you keep control. Others are exclusive — they lock your track down for years.

• Many take a cut even if your music never gets placed.
  
• Most are oversaturated, making discovery tough.
  
• Always read the fine print.
  

Some libraries are helpful. Others just hoard catalogs.

3. Direct Outreach (DIY)

You pitch your own music. You keep full control.

• No middlemen. No fee splits. No waiting.
  
• High effort — but high reward, especially if your music fits a niche or you build direct relationships.
  

This is where Melody Rights helps: pitch-ready folders, rights tracking, and structure without the overwhelm.

Want to dive deeper? How to sell your music to companies

How to Submit Music for Film and TV (Step-by-Step)

1. Find the Right Fit

• Check IMDB, end credits, or even LinkedIn to find the music supervisor behind the scenes.
  

Start by watching indie films, doc trailers, or shows on platforms like Netflix. What soundtracks feel like your style? That’s your target.

Example: The series Sex Education featured dozens of independent UK artists — proof sync isn’t just for the majors. 

2. Get Your Files Ready

Organize each track into a clear folder structure:

• WAVs – final mix, instrumental, clean
  
• Stems – individual elements like drums, vocals
  
• Docs – metadata sheet, splitsheet, PRO registration
  

Use simple filenames. Make it easy to scan and sync-ready.

3. Pitch With Purpose

When you reach out, keep it short and sharp:

• 1-sentence intro
  
• Streaming link + metadata doc
  
• Rights summary (“I own 100% of the master and publishing”)
  

No essays. Just what they need to say yes.

4. Track and Follow Up

Log who you contacted, when, and what you sent. Wait 10 days before a follow-up — short, polite, no pressure.

Professional, not pushy. That’s how you build trust.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Platforms charging $10+ per submission without clear feedback
• Contracts that require exclusivity upfront
• Libraries asking for a cut before a placement happens

In 2023, Songtradr sparked backlash after acquiring Bandcamp and immediately cutting hundreds of jobs — a reminder that even familiar platforms can shift toward industry-first, not artist-first, models.

If it smells like a hustle, it probably is.

How Melody Rights Simplifies Sync — and Has Your Back Long After the Pitch

Getting your music placed in film or TV is only half the job. Making sure you get paid — fully and fairly — is the other half.

That’s where Melody Rights comes in.

We don’t just help you submit for sync. We act as your behind-the-scenes team, making sure your tracks are pitch-ready, placed in the right hands, and tracked for every royalty you’re owed.

Here’s how we help:

• Pitch support — We deliver your music and metadata to trusted sync agents who place songs with TV networks and production teams
• Stock library distribution — Your music goes live on top sync-friendly platforms like Pond5 and AudioSparx — with full licensing infrastructure
• Royalty tracking — If your track lands a placement, we chase every cent — from writer and publisher shares to neighboring rights and mechanicals
• Team mindset — You can pitch too. In fact, the best results often come from a mix of DIY hustle and our hands-on support.

Think of Melody Rights as your sync co-pilot.
You stay in control. We handle the chaos.

You’re Closer Than You Think

Sync isn’t about being discovered. It’s about being ready.

With the right tools, you can pitch smart, protect your work, and hear your music where it belongs: in the story.

Ready to submit without surrendering your rights?
Use Melody Rights to get your tracks placement-ready.

What Can You Actually Earn From Sync?

Sync isn’t just exposure — it’s income. Here’s a quick look at what artists typically earn:

• TV placements: $500 to $20,000
• Indie film placements: $10,000 to $80,000
• Commercial campaigns: $20,000 to $500,000+
• Video games: $2,000 to $10,000
  (Source: Ari’s Take)

These numbers depend on rights ownership, usage length, and reach. But the upside is real — 

Frequently Asked Questions

Want more than just TV & film placements?
Learn how to license your music to brands, platforms, and more. Read: How to Sell Your Music to Companies →