Replies

[zmulls]

I may need an answer to this question sooner rather than later.

Does anyone know what the standard rate is to use a song in a television presentation? Or how it's calculated?

kthxbai

Z.

[Salley Gardens]

Funny you should ask this right now. I'm in the middle of attending the National Performing Arts Convention in Denver, and guess what info I just got today....

According to this ASCAP booklet I just picked up:

If it is just the song being used (and performed by someone on television), they need synchronization license. If they want to use a previously recorded version of the song, they also need a Master Use license. Additional negotiations (more money) can take place if the television program will be released on DVD or home video, or released in movie theaters outside this country (which apparently pretty common), pay-per-view TV, and even Internet.

Here's some quotes from the booklet, "Music and Money, How Songwriters, Composers and Music Publishers Make Money", by Todd Brabec and Jeff Brabec:

"The producer or its music representative will contact the publisher of the composition, describe how the song will be used, ask for a specified period of time to use the song in the program (usually from three years to life of copyright), define the territory in which the program may be broadcast (usually the world, but sometimes limited to only specified countries), negotiate a fee, and then sign what is known as a synchronization license."

and...

"Synchronization fees for major series are negotiated and typically range from $1,800 to more than $3,000 for a five-year worldwide free television license for the use of one song in a series episode, from $6,000 to more than $12,000 life-of-copyright licenses and "all television" licenses, and from $15,000 to over $25,000 for all media excluding theatrical licenses."

Television commercials is a bit different.

This probably doesn't answer all your questions, but I hope it's a start.

[GuitarTam]

Funny you should ask this right now. I'm in the middle of attending the National Performing Arts Convention in Denver, and guess what info I just got today....

According to this ASCAP booklet I just picked up:

If it is just the song being used (and performed by someone on television), they need synchronization license. If they want to use a previously recorded version of the song, they also need a Master Use license. Additional negotiations (more money) can take place if the television program will be released on DVD or home video, or released in movie theaters outside this country (which apparently pretty common), pay-per-view TV, and even Internet.

Here's some quotes from the booklet, "Music and Money, How Songwriters, Composers and Music Publishers Make Money", by Todd Brabec and Jeff Brabec:

"The producer or its music representative will contact the publisher of the composition, describe how the song will be used, ask for a specified period of time to use the song in the program (usually from three years to life of copyright), define the territory in which the program may be broadcast (usually the world, but sometimes limited to only specified countries), negotiate a fee, and then sign what is known as a synchronization license."

and...

"Synchronization fees for major series are negotiated and typically range from $1,800 to more than $3,000 for a five-year worldwide free television license for the use of one song in a series episode, from $6,000 to more than $12,000 life-of-copyright licenses and "all television" licenses, and from $15,000 to over $25,000 for all media excluding theatrical licenses."

Television commercials is a bit different.

This probably doesn't answer all your questions, but I hope it's a start.

[GuitarTam]

Funny you should ask this right now. I'm in the middle of attending the National Performing Arts Convention in Denver, and guess what info I just got today....

According to this ASCAP booklet I just picked up:

If it is just the song being used (and performed by someone on television), they need synchronization license. If they want to use a previously recorded version of the song, they also need a Master Use license. Additional negotiations (more money) can take place if the television program will be released on DVD or home video, or released in movie theaters outside this country (which apparently pretty common), pay-per-view TV, and even Internet.

Here's some quotes from the booklet, "Music and Money, How Songwriters, Composers and Music Publishers Make Money", by Todd Brabec and Jeff Brabec:

"The producer or its music representative will contact the publisher of the composition, describe how the song will be used, ask for a specified period of time to use the song in the program (usually from three years to life of copyright), define the territory in which the program may be broadcast (usually the world, but sometimes limited to only specified countries), negotiate a fee, and then sign what is known as a synchronization license."

and...

"Synchronization fees for major series are negotiated and typically range from $1,800 to more than $3,000 for a five-year worldwide free television license for the use of one song in a series episode, from $6,000 to more than $12,000 life-of-copyright licenses and "all television" licenses, and from $15,000 to over $25,000 for all media excluding theatrical licenses."

Television commercials is a bit different.

This probably doesn't answer all your questions, but I hope it's a start.

Just thought I'd chime in here. The Brabek brothers and their handbook are a great reference; ASCAP, BMI & SEASAK (sorry I know I've mis-spelled our canadian PRO) All have the guidelines to payment rates (which are currently being re-negotiated before congress) and your synch fees do vary depending upon whether it is network, cable, in syndication, regional, national, or INTERNATIONAL distribution, sitcom, commercial, & how the piece is used (intro, outro, teasers, behind a scene....lots of variables). Before selling your stuff please do yourself a favor and make sure your affiliated with a PRO and contact your artist representative if the plentiful information on their web sites isn't clear to you.
You can reach them via email or telephone (though you will probably leave a message they are pretty good about calling you back, and they are there to HELP YOU). :-)

=Guitartam= guitartam music