TV Episode (Network / Streaming)
1–5 years / Worldwide
Low
$500 – $1,500
Mid
$2,000 – $5,000
High
$7,500 – $15,000+
Background or featured; promo use increases fee.
Sync Deal Rate Guide
Typical USD ranges for independent artists. Actual fees depend on rights control, usage, territory, term, prominence, and production budget.
| Usage Type | Typical Term / Territory | Low Range | Mid Range | High Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TV Episode (Network / Streaming) | 1–5 years / Worldwide | $500 – $1,500 | $2,000 – $5,000 | $7,500 – $15,000+ | Background or featured; promo use increases fee. |
| Film (Independent) | Life of film / Worldwide | $1,000 – $3,000 | $5,000 – $10,000 | $15,000 – $30,000+ | End credits / major scenes command more. |
| Film (Studio / Major) | Life of film / Worldwide | $10,000 – $25,000 | $30,000 – $75,000 | $100,000+ | Name songs can exceed $250k. |
| Trailer (Film or Game) | 1 year / Worldwide | $2,500 – $5,000 | $10,000 – $25,000 | $50,000 – $150,000+ | Short term but premium rates. |
| Advertising (Local / Regional) | 6–12 months / Region-specific | $1,000 – $5,000 | $5,000 – $15,000 | $20,000 – $50,000 | Mix (TV/web/radio), duration, cut length matter. |
| Advertising (National / Global) | 6–12 months / Worldwide | $10,000 – $30,000 | $50,000 – $150,000 | $250,000+ | Global brand campaigns may exceed $500k. |
| Video Game (in-game) | Perpetual / Worldwide | $500 – $2,000 | $3,000 – $10,000 | $15,000 – $30,000 | Flat fee is common; trailers are separate. |
| Online / YouTube / Web Promo | 1–3 years / Worldwide | $250 – $1,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 | $5,000 – $10,000 | Check channel audience and ad spend. |
| Social Media / Influencer | 6–12 months / Worldwide | $100 – $500 | $500 – $1,500 | $2,000+ | Usually flat-rate; scope varies by platform. |
| Student / Festival Film | 1–3 years / Limited | $0 – $250 | $250 – $500 | $1,000 | Often unpaid/micro-budget, good profile builder. |
| Corporate / Internal Video | 1–3 years / Limited | $250 – $1,000 | $1,000 – $3,000 | $5,000+ | Internal distribution (sales meetings, HR). |
| Podcast / Web Series | 1–5 years / Worldwide | $100 – $500 | $500 – $1,500 | $2,000 – $5,000 | Audience size + theme vs incidental use. |
What affects price?
- Prominence: background vs featured/title
- Duration: seconds vs full-length
- Media: TV, streaming, online, theatrical
- Territory: local, regional, global
- Term: limited (1 year) vs perpetual
- Exclusivity: exclusive licenses can be 2–3×
- Rights control: owning master + publishing keeps full fee
Quick examples
- Background song in Netflix series
- $2,500 (typical)
- Featured use in indie film
- $7,500 (typical)
- National ad (6 months)
- $30,000 (typical)
- Major game trailer
- $25,000 (typical)
- YouTube brand promo
- $1,000 (typical)
Film (Independent)
Life of film / Worldwide
Low
$1,000 – $3,000
Mid
$5,000 – $10,000
High
$15,000 – $30,000+
End credits / major scenes command more.
Film (Studio / Major)
Life of film / Worldwide
Low
$10,000 – $25,000
Mid
$30,000 – $75,000
High
$100,000+
Name songs can exceed $250k.
Trailer (Film or Game)
1 year / Worldwide
Low
$2,500 – $5,000
Mid
$10,000 – $25,000
High
$50,000 – $150,000+
Short term but premium rates.
Advertising (Local / Regional)
6–12 months / Region-specific
Low
$1,000 – $5,000
Mid
$5,000 – $15,000
High
$20,000 – $50,000
Mix (TV/web/radio), duration, cut length matter.
Advertising (National / Global)
6–12 months / Worldwide
Low
$10,000 – $30,000
Mid
$50,000 – $150,000
High
$250,000+
Global brand campaigns may exceed $500k.
Video Game (in-game)
Perpetual / Worldwide
Low
$500 – $2,000
Mid
$3,000 – $10,000
High
$15,000 – $30,000
Flat fee is common; trailers are separate.
Online / YouTube / Web Promo
1–3 years / Worldwide
Low
$250 – $1,000
Mid
$1,000 – $3,000
High
$5,000 – $10,000
Check channel audience and ad spend.
Social Media / Influencer
6–12 months / Worldwide
Low
$100 – $500
Mid
$500 – $1,500
High
$2,000+
Usually flat-rate; scope varies by platform.
Student / Festival Film
1–3 years / Limited
Low
$0 – $250
Mid
$250 – $500
High
$1,000
Often unpaid/micro-budget, good profile builder.
Corporate / Internal Video
1–3 years / Limited
Low
$250 – $1,000
Mid
$1,000 – $3,000
High
$5,000+
Internal distribution (sales meetings, HR).
Podcast / Web Series
1–5 years / Worldwide
Low
$100 – $500
Mid
$500 – $1,500
High
$2,000 – $5,000
Audience size + theme vs incidental use.
What affects price?
- Prominence, duration, and media
- Territory and term
- Exclusivity (can be 2–3×)
- Rights control (master + publishing)
* This guide is informational, not legal advice. Always review the specific license agreement and consult counsel if needed.
** Fee ranges and revenue estimates shown here reflect a weighted blend of publicly available benchmarks, industry disclosures, rights-organization data, and hands-on deal experience from our team and advisors. Actual sync fees vary by territory, usage, platform, and negotiation.