Production Music: The Hidden Soundtrack Behind the World's Biggest Productions

Most people hear production music every single day without ever realising it.

Whether you're watching a Netflix documentary, a BBC drama, a reality TV show, an advert, a YouTube video, a sports broadcast or scrolling through social media, there's a good chance the music you're hearing wasn't written specifically for that programme. Instead, it came from a production music library.

So what exactly is production music, and why is it one of the most exciting career paths available to composers, producers and songwriters today?

What is Production Music?

Production music is professionally written and recorded music that is created in advance, ready for licensing into film, television, advertising, trailers, games, podcasts and digital media.

Unlike a bespoke film score, production music isn't commissioned for one specific project. Instead, composers write music to creative briefs that are designed to be useful across many different productions.

A single track could appear in dozens, or even hundreds, of different programmes around the world.

How Does It Work?

Every track begins with a creative brief.

A music library might ask its composers to create music for ideas such as:

• Upbeat Summer Pop
• Dark Crime Investigation
• Emotional Piano
• Epic Sports Percussion
• Indie Folk Road Trip
• Corporate Innovation
• Tension & Suspense

Composers then write and produce original music specifically for those briefs.

Rather than releasing singles or albums commercially, these tracks are organised into themed collections that editors can easily search.

Why Metadata Matters

Writing great music is only half the job.

Every production music track is carefully tagged with detailed metadata, including:

• Genre
• Mood
• Tempo
• Energy
• Instrumentation
• Keywords
• Edit points
• Version information

This allows editors and music supervisors to find exactly what they need within seconds.

Searching for "uplifting acoustic guitar with female vocals" or "dark electronic tension at 120 BPM" should immediately return suitable tracks.

From the Studio to the Screen

Once music has been delivered to a library, it is promoted across the industry.

Libraries build relationships with:

• Television editors
• Producers
• Production companies
• Music supervisors
• Advertising agencies
• Trailer houses
• International sub-publishers

When a project needs music, editors search the catalogue and download suitable tracks, often within minutes.

Many broadcasters already have blanket licences in place, allowing editors to use music quickly without negotiating individual sync deals every time.

How Composers Get Paid

One of the biggest misconceptions about production music is that composers only get paid once.

In reality, every successful placement can continue generating income long after the music has been written.

Income can include:

• Commission fees
• Mechanical royalties
• Performance royalties
• International royalties
• Repeat broadcast income

One well-written track can continue earning for many years.

Why Production Music is Different

Production music requires a different mindset from writing commercial releases.

Successful composers learn to:

• Write to a creative brief
• Get to the musical idea quickly
• Keep arrangements focused
• Create strong edit points
• Deliver multiple versions
• Think like an editor rather than just a musician

The best production music solves problems. It helps tell stories, builds emotion and supports the picture without getting in the way.

A Career That Keeps Growing

The demand for production music has never been greater.

Streaming platforms, television channels, online content creators, podcasts, games and brands are producing more content than ever before, all of which needs high quality music.

This has created opportunities for composers working across every genre, from orchestral and cinematic music to pop, hip hop, electronic, jazz, folk and world music.

The MediaTracks Approach

At MediaTracks, we've spent more than 30 years helping connect composers with productions around the world.

Our catalogue is trusted by broadcasters, production companies and editors who rely on expertly curated music that is authentic, diverse and editorially useful.

We work closely with our composers through writing briefs, feedback, educational workshops and collaborative writing camps, helping them understand exactly what the industry is looking for.

Our aim is simple: create outstanding music that makes editors' lives easier while helping composers build sustainable careers.

Interested in Writing Production Music?

If you're a composer, producer, songwriter or artist looking to break into the industry, there has never been a better time to get involved.

Learn how the business works. Understand what editors need. Write with purpose. Build relationships. Keep improving your craft.

Production music may be one of the least visible parts of the music industry, but it remains one of its most rewarding and creative career paths.

Behind almost every great production is a great piece of music. The next one could be yours.