Television Music
Television music isn't what it used to be. Background scoring isn't used as much as it once was for weekly series, but a few composers still make money doing background music for TV shows, especially “movie of the week” type shows. The money ceiling for TV scoring is substantially lower than for movies. The upside is in the performance royalties, which you get even for reruns. The best ways for songwriters to make money in TV (aside from jingles) are by writing the theme songs that start and end shows or by having a song that's already been cut placed in a show as featured or background music.
Competition in the theme song market is tough, because the money can be huge. Think about it: A theme song gets played at least once every time the show runs, sometimes twice. Fragments of the theme are often used when returning from a commercial. Every use means more royalties. With the right show, reruns can keep you living in style for the rest of your life. To break into the theme song market, you may need a music degree and/or connections in the TV industry. Be prepared to pay a lot of dues.
In addition to a leading role on the TV show “Growing Pains,” Alan Thicke also co-wrote the show's theme song. Along with a successful acting career, Thicke managed profitable turns as a scriptwriter and producer, but kept up his songwriting chops by writing themes for shows, including “Wheel of Fortune” and “The Facts of Life.”
These days, an increasing number of television shows use music by up-and-coming bands. The Rembrandts, already a fairly popular band, received a major career boost when their song “I'll Be There for You” was used as the theme song for the TV show “Friends.” Vonda Shepherd became famous almost instantly when the TV show “Ally McBeal” began featuring her songs. The best way to get your songs placed in TV shows is by having a publisher with connections in the TV industry or by making some connections yourself.
