How Much Do TV Placements Really Pay? A Real-World Breakdown of Broadcast Royalties

How Much do TV Placements Really Pay

If you’re a producer or composer eyeing TV placements, you’ve probably asked the big question: “What do I actually get paid after my music airs?” There’s a lot of mythology online — everything from “you can retire off one placement” to “it’s all pennies.” The truth lives somewhere in between and depends on the network, usage type, time of day, and your performance rights organization (PRO).

This breakdown is based on real, anonymized BMI royalty statements across multiple quarters. It shows what the backend looks like for U.S. television, how different usages pay, and what kind of activity it takes to build meaningful passive income.