How to Get a Sync License for Music: Our Essential 2026 Guide

Sync licensing has become the most reliable path to sustainable music income, and in 2026, the doors are wider open than ever for independent artists.

This guide covers everything: what sync licensing actually is, what you need to get started, where to submit, how much you can earn, and the strategies that separate artists who land placements from those who don't.

Sync (short for "synchronization") licensing grants permission to pair music with visual media. Every song you hear in a film, TV show, commercial, video game, trailer, podcast, or YouTube video required a sync license.

Two separate rights are involved in every sync deal:

Major-label artists typically split these rights across multiple parties, requiring lengthy clearance processes. Independent artists who own both rights are called one-stop—and that status has become a competitive advantage. Music supervisors under tight deadlines increasingly favor one-stop tracks because they can be cleared in hours instead of weeks.

The economics of music have shifted. Sync licensing now offers something streaming and touring struggle to provide: predictable, scalable income.

The market is expanding. Streaming platforms, gaming studios, podcast networks, and brands are producing more content than ever. Each project needs music. Netflix alone releases hundreds of original titles annually, and every one requires a licensed soundtrack.

Independent artists have the advantage. Labels charge premium rates and move slowly. Brands and supervisors increasingly seek indie music that's cheaper, faster to clear, and often more authentic-sounding than polished major-label productions.

AI is changing discovery. Platforms like Mewo.io now use AI-assisted search to match tracks to briefs in seconds. Music supervisors can scan millions of songs by mood, tempo, instrumentation, and lyrical content—which means properly tagged music surfaces faster than ever.

Authenticity dominates. The 2026 trend leans toward raw, emotionally direct tracks over overproduced anthems. Genre-blending music and "sonic branding"—where companies build identifiable audio identities—are driving new licensing opportunities.

You don't need a label, manager, or expensive studio. You need four things: the right music, the right formats, the right metadata, and clear legal ownership.

Not every song works for sync. Music supervisors look for tracks with:

Editors need flexibility. Every track you submit should include:

The more versions you provide, the easier you are to license.

Metadata determines whether your music gets found. Every file needs:

Before pitching any track, know exactly who owns what:

Supervisors and libraries won't touch music with unclear rights. One ownership dispute can blacklist you from future opportunities.

Four primary paths lead to sync placements. Most successful artists use a combination.

Music libraries are searchable catalogs that supervisors browse when they need licensable music quickly. Major libraries include:

Each library has different terms. Some require exclusivity (you can't submit elsewhere). Others are non-exclusive (you retain full control). Read contracts carefully.

Sync reps pitch your music directly to supervisors in exchange for a commission—typically 25% to 50% of licensing fees. They're most interested in:

Good reps have direct relationships with supervisors and can get your music in front of projects you'd never access independently.

With research and persistence, you can pitch directly to music supervisors working on:

Find contacts through LinkedIn, IMDbPro, and industry resources like Tunefind, Film Music Reporter, and Music Supervisor Network. Personalize every pitch. Reference specific projects they've worked on. Never mass-email.

Build a professional, searchable catalog on platforms like:

A well-organized personal catalog positions you as a professional and captures inbound licensing requests.

Sync licensing pays through two channels: upfront fees and backend royalties.

One-time payments for the right to use your song. Current market rates:

| Placement Type | Typical Fee Range |

|----------------|-------------------|

| YouTube / Podcasts | $250 – $1,500 |

| Social Media / Digital Ads | $1,500 – $3,000 |

| Indie Film / Small TV Spot | $1,000 – $5,000 |

| TV Series (per episode) | $6,000 – $12,000 |

| National TV / Streaming Campaigns | $5,000 – $15,000 |

| Feature Films | $10,000 – $25,000 |

| Trailers / Promos | $3,000 – $15,000 |

| Major National Commercials | $25,000 – $100,000+ |

Rates vary based on usage scope (local vs. national vs. worldwide), duration, media type, and your negotiating position.

When your music airs on broadcast TV, streams on licensed platforms, or plays in public venues, your PRO collects performance royalties on your behalf. These payments arrive quarterly and can compound significantly over time—especially for placements in shows that run in syndication or stream globally.

A single TV placement can generate royalty checks for years.

Most artists who submit to sync never land placements. The ones who do follow specific practices:

Lead with your strongest work. Submit your best 5–10 tracks, not your entire catalog. Quality signals professionalism; quantity signals desperation.

Solve problems, don't showcase. Supervisors aren't looking for impressive music—they're looking for the exact right track for a specific scene. Make your music easy to match to common needs: tension builds, emotional releases, upbeat transitions, quiet introspection.

Stay current on trends. Watch what's getting placed in commercials, trailers, and streaming shows. Note the moods, tempos, and production styles. Create music that fits where the market is moving.

Organize obsessively. Clean file names. Complete metadata. Multiple versions ready to send. Supervisors working under deadline will skip disorganized submissions entirely.

Follow up without spamming. One polite follow-up after two weeks is professional. Weekly emails are not. Respect the time of people receiving hundreds of pitches.

Build relationships over transactions. The artists who get repeat placements treat supervisors and librarians as long-term collaborators, not one-time targets.

Avoid these pitfalls:

Sync licensing in 2026 rewards artists who treat their music like a business: organized catalogs, clear rights, professional metadata, and strategic outreach.

You don't need a record deal. You don't need millions of streams. You need music that serves a purpose, packaged in a way that makes it easy to license.

The opportunities are larger than ever. The question is whether you're ready to pursue them professionally.

Ready to get your music licensed? Start with your five strongest tracks, prepare all versions and metadata, and submit to libraries that match your genre and goals.

We can help too. Need help finding background music that boosts engagement? 🎧 Explore our licensing catalog or work with Playbutton Media to get custom-curated music tailored to your content goals.

This guide was originally published on the Playbutton Media blog. Read it here.