How much to charge for podcast theme?
- Thread starter Goldblattxo
- Start date
StutzvH
Imposter
Depends on how big the podcast is. Ask for their average audience per episode. The general rule that many follow when starting out is $100 per minute of bespoke music.
I have composed theme music for a podcast on 2 occasions and both times I provided a contract which stated they owned the music (lifetime), but I retained the right to use it, along with their name and logo, for self-adverting. They owned the ‘theme tune’ and I couldn’t reuse it (eg. They could get another composer to write an updated theme using the same motif. I can’t write a score for something else and use that same motif).
The deal is something to discuss between you and the client. It’s entirely within your right to request you earn royalties for a lifetime or specific period of time in exchange for you not being allowed to reuse the theme tune. If it’s a specific period of time (eg. Royalties for 3 years) then after that they waive the rights to exclusivity on that theme tune.
I have composed theme music for a podcast on 2 occasions and both times I provided a contract which stated they owned the music (lifetime), but I retained the right to use it, along with their name and logo, for self-adverting. They owned the ‘theme tune’ and I couldn’t reuse it (eg. They could get another composer to write an updated theme using the same motif. I can’t write a score for something else and use that same motif).
The deal is something to discuss between you and the client. It’s entirely within your right to request you earn royalties for a lifetime or specific period of time in exchange for you not being allowed to reuse the theme tune. If it’s a specific period of time (eg. Royalties for 3 years) then after that they waive the rights to exclusivity on that theme tune.
proggermusic
Keyboards and Woodwinds, Jazz-Funk-Ambient?
I, personally, would ask for $200 per minute (prorated, $100 per 30sec) and offer them perpetual license to use it for the podcast. This means that you keep the writing/publishing rights to the piece, you're not giving those to anyone. I like the idea of including a clause where you, the writer, also retain the right to use it for portfolio purposes or the like. This is a solid deal for a smaller entity with limited budget.
I've done themes for podcasts at much larger organizations where the budget was significantly higher, and of course their legal teams draw up all the contracts. But even in that case, always hold your ground about retaining writing/publishing rights to the music you created. When possible, retain rights to the actual sound recording (mechanicals) as well, and make sure the organization you're working with is buying a license, not the work itself. If the budget's big enough, you can yield on the mechanicals, potentially. But I wouldn't ever give up writing or publishing if I could avoid it, as far as an original piece for any kind of media goes.
I've done themes for podcasts at much larger organizations where the budget was significantly higher, and of course their legal teams draw up all the contracts. But even in that case, always hold your ground about retaining writing/publishing rights to the music you created. When possible, retain rights to the actual sound recording (mechanicals) as well, and make sure the organization you're working with is buying a license, not the work itself. If the budget's big enough, you can yield on the mechanicals, potentially. But I wouldn't ever give up writing or publishing if I could avoid it, as far as an original piece for any kind of media goes.
GtrString
Senior Member
A bit difficult that one as WFH fees are a lot higher. Depends if it's in the promo category or the theme category, but I would ask for the same rates as for custom work for broadcast TV. Around 5k USD for a WFH promo, and about 15k USD for a WFH theme.
If they can, a non-exclusive license in perpetuity could go around 5k USD for a theme, even less if it's considered a promo.
If they can, a non-exclusive license in perpetuity could go around 5k USD for a theme, even less if it's considered a promo.
Goldblattxo
New Member
What if they're offering 10k for full buyout. Exclusive license in perpetuity. No writer's share.
Is that a fair deal then?
This would be for a podcast main theme that they would use to start their show.
What's wfh?
studiostuff
Active Member
Work for Hire- look it up
Goldblattxo
New Member
I looked up "wfh" and I got work from home. So looking it up didn't help but kudos for answering the question.
studiostuff
Active Member
Look up "Work-For-Hire".
It is a term that occurs on many contracts and generally means for an agreed to amount of money to the employed person, the employer becomes the owner of the work in perpetuity as if the employer had created the work personally.
When I ask you to look up Work-For-Hire and you look up wfh, you're not paying attention.
You will do much better with contracts if you read carefully and get help from an attorney.
Best of luck to you.
It is a term that occurs on many contracts and generally means for an agreed to amount of money to the employed person, the employer becomes the owner of the work in perpetuity as if the employer had created the work personally.
When I ask you to look up Work-For-Hire and you look up wfh, you're not paying attention.
You will do much better with contracts if you read carefully and get help from an attorney.
Best of luck to you.
Goldblattxo
New Member
I thought you were being a smartass. I misunderstood.
studiostuff
Active Member
Full disclosure... I AM a smart ass.
I'm also a musician who works in film and tv as a composer/ music director. I also teach much of this BS in college.
I'm used to students who believe they know everything they need to know. I'm immune to that shade. No worries. If anything I offer here is useful, run with it. No worries.
As I may have said, best of luck to you.
I'm also a musician who works in film and tv as a composer/ music director. I also teach much of this BS in college.
I'm used to students who believe they know everything they need to know. I'm immune to that shade. No worries. If anything I offer here is useful, run with it. No worries.
As I may have said, best of luck to you.
Goldblattxo
New Member
I kind of figured with your response.
And thanks.
GtrString
Senior Member
You are the one who decides what a fair deal is for you. There are more things to consider, like if they are really happy with it and will become a return client. But they are not likely getting anything from a pro library of that sort, for that price. So if they are just trying to bypass standard quotes, and make you pay the difference, it's not objectively a "good" deal from where I'm looking, quite the contrary.
You may or may not take a bad deal anyway, though, depending on your situation. If that is what they offer, try at least to retain your writers share. It can never be a good deal without that, as this is your bread and butter if you plan doing this for a long time. They have no use for your writers share anyway, so those terms can only hold you under water.
Edit: there is a remaining Q of how to categorize a podcast theme. I write from the perspective that it's equal to broadcast TV (underlining broadcast), but you could certainly get more definite answers from a music supervisor if you know one, or if you are with a publisher, you could ask how they would approach that.
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Epic Wonder
Active Member
and 
if I were offered $10,000.
