How do you value sync licensing revenue when it's project-based and variable?

We analyze 3-5 years of sync revenue history to establish a reliable average, weight for consistency (steady annual sync income is valued higher than sporadic large placements), and separately value the backend performance royalty stream, which tends to be more stable. The catalog's placement history and library relationships are also factored in as intangible value.

Can I transfer my sync library and agent agreements to the buyer?

In most cases, yes. However, some library agreements include non-transferability clauses. We review all existing agreements as part of the sale process and work with the libraries to facilitate transitions. Buyers on our platform expect to inherit these relationships and are experienced in managing them.

What about non-exclusive library placements — does the buyer get those too?

Non-exclusive placements transfer with the master rights and publishing. The new owner steps into your position as the rights holder, and existing non-exclusive licenses remain in effect. The buyer can also pursue new licensing opportunities through additional libraries.

Sync Composers: Sell Your Library Music Catalog for What It's Really Worth

You compose music specifically for licensing — TV shows, films, commercials, video games, YouTube content, corporate videos, and mobile apps. You may work through sync agents, music libraries, or directly with music supervisors. Your catalog is built for function: tracks are meticulously tagged with mood, tempo, instrumentation, and use-case metadata. You provide stems, alternate mixes, and multiple versions of each composition to maximize placement potential. Your revenue comes from a combination of upfront sync fees, backend performance royalties (collected through your PRO when placements air), and potentially streaming royalties if your music is also distributed to consumer platforms. Managing a sync-focused catalog involves juggling relationships with multiple libraries, agents, and direct clients, tracking cue sheets, and ensuring your PRO registrations are complete for every placement.

Challenges you might face

●Complex revenue picture: sync fees, backend PRO royalties, re-use fees, and streaming income all need to be aggregated for valuation
●Relationships with multiple sync libraries and agents make revenue tracking and rights management complicated
●Cue sheet tracking is critical but time-consuming — missed cue sheets mean lost backend royalties
●Non-exclusive library agreements create uncertainty about how music is being used and by whom
●Difficult to value a catalog when much of the income is project-based and variable
●Aging library agreements may have unfavorable terms that are hard to renegotiate
●Sync demand fluctuates with industry trends, production budgets, and economic conditions

How SPACE can help

●Sync-aware valuation that properly weights upfront fees, backend performance royalties, and streaming income separately
●Library agreement audit to identify all active licensing relationships and their terms
●Cue sheet review to identify missing registrations and recover uncollected backend royalties before the sale
●Buyer network includes sync licensing companies, music library operators, and production music funds that understand this business model
●Deal structures can include the transfer of existing library relationships and sync agent agreements
●Metadata analysis to ensure your sync-optimized tagging system transfers cleanly to the new owner
●Valuation accounts for the catalog's placement history and relationship network, not just raw revenue numbers

Benefits

Get a valuation that reflects the full value of your sync business — not just streaming revenue

Transfer complex library relationships and agent agreements as part of the sale

Recover uncollected backend royalties through pre-sale cue sheet auditing

Connect with buyers who understand production music economics and will actively pitch your catalog

Exit the administrative complexity of managing multiple library and agent relationships

Monetize the placement history and reputation you've built with music supervisors

Receive fair compensation for the extensive metadata, stems, and alternate versions in your catalog

Example scenario

A sync licensing composer with 250 tracks placed across four music libraries, generating $35,000/year from sync fees ($20,000), backend PRO performance royalties ($10,000), and Spotify streaming ($5,000), wanted to transition from active sync composing to teaching. A pre-sale cue sheet audit revealed 15 missing TV placements worth an estimated $6,000/year in uncollected backend royalties, which were registered and began generating income within two quarters. The catalog was revalued at $41,000/year and sold at a 12x multiple ($492,000) to a production music fund that took over all library relationships and actively expanded the catalog's placement footprint. The composer now teaches film scoring at a community college.

FAQ

Other creator types

The Ambient Music Producer The Meditation Music Creator The Wellness App Soundtrack Creator

Learn more

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Value Your Sync Licensing Catalog

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