How To Get Your Music On Netflix
Master the music licensing process to land Netflix placements through strategic networking, rights ownership, and professional catalog preparation.
Tools 4 Music Staff
Tools 4 Music Team

A spot on Netflix might change everything for today's artists. One time deal could mean payment now, money later, fans across borders, plus a reputation that sticks around.
Most people get it wrong about Netflix placements. A public form does not exist, talking straight to decision makers rarely happens, and getting in is never promised. What works? Thinking ahead, being ready, showing up in the right circles where music gets matched to shows.
This piece explains the path music takes to appear on Netflix. Behind the scenes, choices come down to mood, timing, and uniqueness. A show’s feel often shapes which songs make the cut. People selecting tracks care about fit more than fame. Artists gain ground by aligning work with storytelling needs. Visibility grows when sound matches scene intent. Getting noticed leans less on luck, more on relevance. By 2026, preparation could matter just as much as talent.
Music Licensing Behind Netflix Shows
Music on Netflix isn’t pulled straight from individual creators. Musicians get spots thanks to behind-the-scenes players - most often folks you never see. These contacts open doors without fanfare or flash:
- Music supervisors
- Sync licensing agencies
- Production companies
- Music libraries
- Post-production teams
Music supervisors get brought on by individual shows or films, which work with outside studios. These projects come to Netflix through deals made behind the scenes. Structure matters when putting things in order.
The Role of Music Supervisors
Music supervisors are responsible for:
- Selecting music for scenes
- Clearing rights
- Managing budgets
- Ensuring legal compliance
Facing tight schedules, they lean toward tunes that match their pace. What you aim for isn’t "selling" to Netflix like a script - it’s earning trust so managers think of you first.
Types of Music Licensed by Netflix
Looking into Netflix projects reveals steady interest in a few key spots:
Mood shapes how we connect, more than labels ever could. What counts is whether it feels right and works well. Usability often speaks louder than category tags.
Own Or Control Your Rights
Finding a spot on Netflix means having straightforward permissions - all handled in one place.
- Master Rights: Your music stays yours when you keep hold of the master rights.
- Publishing: Control or co-own publishing.
- Split Sheets: Keep track of shared costs using written split sheets.
- No Samples: Avoid uncleared samples.
A track's murky ownership? That usually stops music supervisors cold. Clear rights aren’t optional - they’re the baseline.
Prepare Music for Sync Opportunities
Music built for syncing fits right into videos. Key characteristics include:
- Clean intros (no long build-ups)
- Strong emotional tone
- Edit-friendly structure
- Broadcast-quality mixing (no clipping or distortion)
- Instrumental versions (many tracks are used without explicit words)
The Strategic Path to Placement
1. Register Your Music Correctly
Before any pitch, ensure you have:
- Performing Rights Organization (PRO) registration
- Sound recording rights
- Publishing splits
- ISRC codes
- Consistent metadata
2. Work With Sync Agencies and Libraries
Finding a spot on Netflix usually happens by working with known music libraries or sync agencies. They serve as:
- Curators
- Rights administrators
- Trusted sources for supervisors
3. Build Relationships (No Cold Pitches)
Few people get replies when they email Netflix out of the blue. Effective networking happens through sync conferences, industry panels, and supervisor showcases. Trust builds slowly through steady actions.
4. Pitch With Strategy
- Use short, relevant emails.
- Provide streamable private links.
- Label by genre and mood.
- Skip attachments unless someone asks for them.
Understanding the Financial Structure
Revenue flows from different angles once shows land there:
- Sync license fee (one-time)
- Performance royalties
- International royalties
- Long-term catalog value
Fees change a lot depending on the production budget, usage type, duration, and territory.
Common Misconceptions
- “You need a label”: Independent artists land spots regularly.
- “You need millions of streams”: Placement depends on the role match, not popularity.
- “You can pitch directly to Netflix”: Placements move through production workflows and supervisors.
- “One placement guarantees success”: Success depends on how you capitalize on the moment.
Final Thoughts
Finding space for your songs on Netflix isn’t down to chance - what matters is fitting into how music licensing runs behind the scenes. In 2026, the artists seeing consistent placements are those who treat music as licensable intellectual property, build professional catalogs, and put trust before noise. Visibility follows preparation.
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