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I just watched 'Ghost Whisperer'. At the end of the show they had a short little ad that said something like, "Tonight's episode featured a song by P.J Ollsson<sp>..." and the song title was in there somewhere. They also said download it on iTunes.

I watch a few other network TV shows, like 'Jericho'. Watching it the other night, I noticed they were using several contemporary songs.

This seems to be a trend spilling over from fairly decent original shows on cable networks. I might be wrong because I don't, can't, and wouldn't make a habit of watching/monitoring a truckload of TV shows. So I thought this thread might be a place where we could report the use of music not specifically written for the particular TV show.

Most of those songs/artists are connected to the production company, or the studio where the series is made.Or both.

There are exceptions..

Dude

The "demand" side of the equation has increased, as they say, exponentially. When the world was young we got ABC, CBS, and NBC television. Now I get 75 channels. There are more than that available.
Back then the movie theater got one or two movies and kept them for weeks. Now there are Cinema 6's, 10's, 26's, with movies galore.
All these mediums have found musical soundtracks enhance the viewer "hook," helping convey the mood they're trying to get you in. Remember Bob Dylan's Pat Garret and Billy the Kid soundtrack? Soundtrack for Pulp Fiction? Beverly Hills Cop?
This trend of having a song or some songs in a tv show has been going on a while, long enough to merit the name 'trend.' Remember Vonda Sheppard [sp] playing in the bar on Allie McBeal, and at the end or the show, the quick ad touting her CD? I think the show Party of Five did it too. Gilmore Girls? It's a trend that, if your song can match the mood or storyline in some way, is looking for your song. It's another possible market, no fast magic, easy in, but, another market, like all the other markets you've been trying to penetrate already. Try it and see if you can get in. What do you have to lose? Oh yeah, time, money, pride. But still, you can't ignore a possible sale.

I agree with you 100%, Gary.

A perfect example of a television show that understands how important music can be is "Scrubs."

Music has become such an integral part of the Scrubs formula that getting one of your songs on that show can literally make you a star.

If you don't believe me, just ask "The Fray." When their song "How To Save A Life" was feautured on Scrubs, their CD sales went through the roof and, conversely, that episode of Scrubs was one of the show's best because the song reinforced the storyline in such a powerful way.

Phil C.

there's always the occasional hole in one, but all network stuff and the larger cable networks included, use a studio connected production company, and/or a music library source whose catalog they go back to over and over. As artists or writers you must have your material listed and in that catalog to be considered. Just like suppliers in any industry, music often comes from a source they are familiar with. But hey, my dad made a couple hole in ones...ha... good luck...Moker

Oh, yeah, awhile back Jewel was a guest on 'Men In Trees'.

I had a synchronization deal with Party of Five and a near-deal with Dawson's Creek.

It was the Alberta Recording Industry Association office which put the call out (and since I had been in the office that week doing some research, the secretary remembered me). Talk about synchronistic and a reason to be involved in your local industry associations.

An Alberta friend (former radio producer/DJ/manager) of the music producer for Party of Five and another of Warner's shows asked him to scout around and send him a small number of press kits. The guy didn't want to advertise for music and clearly DIDN'T have a catalog to pull from. Two of us from Alberta received deals, though it was six months later when I received a call from California out of the blue.

That was in 1996, right before I set off travelling. I received a decent synchronization fee up front, then hefty royalties the following few reporting periods by SOCAN, and continue still to receive royalties from the international airplay of this show.

Sadly, I've never seen it! I was on a plane to Saudi Arabia the day before the season debut aired.

LL.

PS. Anyone else have stories to tell about getting film or TV deals...how it was done, etc.?

WOW LL... great story .... thanks for sharing ... we all have stories that say ... "See..I have NO chance"
It does good to share those positive stories which are not as abundant as the other....
A little bit of inspiration to start my day.
Thanks
Joanne

My band was shopped by a publisher with connections in TV (ACM Records) and 2 of our songs were licensed by 4 MTV shows and another was played on the Prime Time NBC show "Ed" a few years ago....

still looking for the episode if someone out there happens to have an "Ed" archive of some kind...lol

So, it's not impossible, you just have to place your work with someone who's got the channels to get it used.

Peace,
Christine