Sony Music Publishing Sync

Sony Music Publishing is the largest music publisher in the world by market share. The company was formed from the 2012 acquisition of EMI Music Publishing by Sony/ATV (which rebranded as Sony Music Publishing in 2021). Its sync licensing division places songwriter catalogs across film, television, advertising, video games, trailers, and streaming media. Sony Music Publishing is best suited for established songwriters and producers with commercial releases, streaming traction, or catalogs with proven sync value.

How Sony Music Publishing Sync Works

Sony Music Publishing is a full-service music publisher, not a production library or upload platform. The company administers copyrights, pitches catalogs to music supervisors, and negotiates sync licenses on behalf of its signed writers. Creative sync teams operate from offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Nashville.

The sync division works proactively. Sony Music Publishing's creative team maintains direct relationships with music supervisors at studios, networks, ad agencies, and gaming companies. They pitch specific catalogs against incoming briefs, facilitate custom writes when a supervisor needs original music, and handle all fee negotiation and clearance paperwork.

The company's catalog depth is unmatched. Sony Music Publishing controls or administers the Beatles catalog, Michael Jackson's Mijac catalog, the EMI catalog (which includes classics from Queen, Carole King, and Motown hits), and a massive roster of contemporary songwriters across pop, rock, hip-hop, country, and Latin genres. This scale means the sync team can offer music supervisors nearly any style from any era.

Real-World Example

A country songwriter signed to Sony Music Publishing has a catalog of 30 songs. A TV network needs a specific track for a scripted drama series. Sony's sync team negotiates a $12,000 sync fee, clears the publishing side, and coordinates with the label for master clearance if needed. The writer receives their negotiated percentage of the sync fee plus backend PRO royalties when the episode airs.

For a global advertising campaign, the same songwriter's track might generate $100,000 or more in sync fees. Sony Music Publishing handles all clearance, negotiation, and licensing paperwork across multiple territories. The writer receives their share per their publishing agreement.

Use our sync licensing fee calculator to estimate potential sync fees for different usage types.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

Sony Music Publishing is not an entry point for independent artists. The company signs writers who already have commercial releases, streaming traction, or established industry relationships. For independent artists, understanding Sony Music Publishing matters for several reasons:

• It represents the top of the publishing market: Sony Music Publishing is the largest publisher globally. If your goal is a major publishing deal, you need to build a catalog and audience that attracts A&R attention. Co-writes with established writers and placements with mid-tier sync libraries are stepping stones.
• Administration deals provide global reach: Sony Music Publishing administers catalogs it does not own. If you build a catalog with real commercial value, an administration deal can provide global royalty collection and sync pitching without transferring ownership. These deals typically require a minimum catalog size and revenue threshold.
• The EMI catalog integration changed the market: The 2012 EMI acquisition consolidated enormous catalog power under one publisher. This means fewer independent large-scale publishers exist. Independent artists should understand that the publishing landscape is highly consolidated at the top, which makes mid-tier and independent publishers more important for early-career writers.

If you are seeking your first sync placement, start with platforms that accept open submissions. Read our guide on how to get your first sync license and our comparison of sync licensing companies vs music libraries.

Platform Features

• Global creative sync offices: New York, Los Angeles, London, and Nashville
• Proactive pitching: Dedicated sync teams across film, TV, advertising, gaming, and trailers
• Unmatched catalog depth: Beatles catalog, EMI catalog, Mijac catalog, and contemporary songwriter rosters
• Custom write capabilities: Assigns signed writers to create original music for specific briefs
• Administration services: Global royalty collection and sync pitching for administered catalogs
• Cross-label clearance: When master rights are with a Sony label, sync and master can be cleared together

Potential Drawbacks / Things to Consider

• No open submissions: Sony Music Publishing does not accept unsolicited music. You cannot upload tracks or email demos for consideration.
• Publishing deals transfer rights: Signing a publishing deal typically involves transferring ownership or administration of your compositions. Review deal terms carefully. Learn more in our guide to music licensing agreements.
• Exclusivity is standard: Sony Music Publishing deals are exclusive. You cannot pitch the same compositions to other publishers while under contract.
• Corporate scale means slower response: As the largest music publisher, Sony Music Publishing processes an enormous volume of catalogs and briefs. Response times can be slow compared to independent publishers.
• Negotiating leverage matters: Standard splits range from 50/50 to 75/25 in the writer's favor. Writers with stronger catalogs and streaming numbers negotiate better terms. New signees with less leverage may receive less favorable splits.

Related Resources

• Sync Licensing Companies Directory - Browse more sync licensing companies
• Sync Licensing Fee Calculator - Estimate licensing fees for your projects
• PRO Directory - Find your performing rights organization
• How to Get Your First Sync License - Step-by-step guide for independent artists
• Music Licensing Agreements: Types, Terms, and Red Flags - Understand publishing deals before signing
• Visit Sony Music Publishing for roster info and company details