Behind the Scenes: How Music Publishers and Composers Can Break into Streaming TV Soundtracks in South Asia

Cut through the noise: how South Asian composers and publishers can land global TV and streaming syncs

Too many platforms, fragmented rights, and no clear route into the playlists of music supervisors — if that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The Jan 2026 Kobalt–Madverse partnership changed the game: it created a blueprint for how South Asian creators can plug into global publishing administration, royalty collection and sync pipelines. This guide turns that model into a step-by-step playbook you can use today to get your music into TV and streaming soundtracks worldwide.

Why the Kobalt–Madverse model matters in 2026

As of early 2026 the streaming landscape is both more global and more competitive. Non-English series routinely top charts, FAST channels and regional platforms commission original scores, and streaming services expect clean, metadata-rich deliverables. That’s where partnerships between global publishers and regional specialists matter.

Under the agreement, Madverse’s community of independent songwriters, composers and producers will gain access to Kobalt’s publishing administration network.

In plain terms, Kobalt brings global administration, robust royalty collection and a direct line into international catalogs; Madverse brings local talent, regional market knowledge and distribution muscle across South Asia. Together they form a pipeline from studio to cue sheet to payout — a pipeline you can replicate whether you work with them or another publisher.

2026 trends you must account for

• Global appetite for South Asian sounds: International shows increasingly use South Asian textures — not just songs but underscore and hybrid fusions.
• Consolidation and curation: Fewer but larger gatekeepers (aggregators, publishers) now control much of sync access.
• Data-first pitching: Supervisors expect metadata, ISRC/ISWC, cue-ready stems and licensing terms up front.
• AI and rights complexity: Tools speed production but introduce clearance risks. Human authorship and sample clearance are key.
• Short-form demand: Ads, promos and short clips create constant micro-sync opportunities — lower fee but high volume.

Seven-step roadmap: from demo to global placement

Use this as your tactical checklist. Each step includes practical actions you can implement this week.

1. Build a sync-ready catalog (quality + versatility)

Supervisors need options. One strong song isn’t enough — offer variations and utility versions.

• Create multiple edits: 15s, 30s, 60s, and full-length versions.
• Provide stems: lead, bass, drums, synths, FX, and vocal-free beds.
• Make “underscore-friendly” pieces: ambient pads, short motifs and transitional beds.
• Tag each track with mood, tempo and cue usage (e.g., “opening theme”, “suspense bed”, “romantic underscore”).

2. Nail metadata, rights and registration

Metadata is your currency. Without it you won’t collect international royalties.

• Register compositions with a PRO and ensure splits are documented (split sheets).
• Assign ISRCs for masters and ISWCs for compositions; submit to DDEX-compatible systems where possible.
• Keep a master rights spreadsheet: writer, publisher, % split, track ISRC, ISWC, registration IDs in each territory.
• Use admin partners: agreements like Kobalt–Madverse matter because they solve cross-border collection and reporting.

3. Use watchlist tools and production calendars to target shows

Tracking what’s in production is essential — you want to pitch during the music window, not after the final mix.

• Build a show watchlist using IMDBPro, Variety production listings, Production Weekly and local trade sites (e.g., Film Companion updates, JioCinema commissioning pages).
• Set automated alerts and create a Google Calendar of music windows (roughly pre-production through post-production).
• Maintain a “pitch pack” for each show: two-line hook, three best-fit tracks, track links, licensing terms and contact info for the supervisor.
• Leverage streaming watchlist tools to identify score-heavy titles and composer changes — those are openings for new placements.

4. Pitch smart: build relationships, not spam

Pitches must be short, relevant and professional. Treat every outreach as a job application.

1. Find the right contact: music supervisor, music coordinator or library curator. Use LinkedIn, IMDB credits and festival line-ups.
2. Pitch email template (use this):
   • Subject: Short, show name & mood (e.g., “For — tense electronic underscore”)
   • Body: One short hook sentence, 2–3 clickable private stream links (no attachments), catalog note (stems available), brief rights note (non-exclusive/term), and contact info.
3. Follow-up once after two weeks. If rejected, ask for feedback and stay polite.
4. Get on library rosters and let a publisher like Madverse/Kobalt pitch on your behalf for larger buyers.

5. Deliverables and technical setup for streaming TV

Studios expect professional file formats and naming conventions. Mistakes here lose deals.

• Standard stems: 48kHz/24-bit WAVs, stereo stems, properly named cues (e.g., Show_Scene_Cue_Version_Stem_Bpm).
• Include a full mix and dry stems. No unnecessary limiting on stems; supervisors want flexibility.
• Provide timecode notes and cue lengths; give 3–4 alternate edits if possible.
• Delivery platforms: WeTransfer for small jobs, Aspera/Signiant for large sessions; host a secure private SoundCloud link for demos.
• Loudness: follow platform guidelines if provided; otherwise keep headroom on masters (-3dBFS) and avoid heavy brickwall limiting on stems.

6. Pricing, deal terms and negotiation tips

Know market ranges and what you’re willing to concede. Early-career composers often undersell exclusivity and territory.

• Typical streaming TV sync fees (2026): indie episodic placements often start modestly (USD 300–1,500) for small markets; larger series or prime-time networks command USD 2,000–20,000+ depending on exclusivity, territory and use (episode vs. promo).
• Prefer non-exclusive licenses for songs unless the fee justifies exclusivity.
• Always negotiate a credit clause and keep return usage rights for re-licensing.
• Consider publisher-administered deals for complex territories — you sacrifice a cut in exchange for admin and collection muscle.

7. Scale with global distribution and rights collection

A placement is only as valuable as the royalties you actually collect.

• Work with a publishing administrator (like Kobalt) or a reputable regional partner (like Madverse) to collect worldwide performance and mechanical royalties.
• Register with neighboring rights organizations and digital collectors: SoundExchange, YouTube Content ID, and local societies (e.g., IPRS in India).
• Use direct deals for promos and trailers with clear master/ sync splits and downstream admin clauses.

Composer tips: studio, workflow and cost-saving strategies

Save money without sacrificing quality — the most successful composers in 2026 combine smart tech with smart contracts.

Home studio and remote collaboration

• Invest in a reliable DAW template (tempo map, buses, stem routing). This reduces session prep time.
• Use high-quality sample libraries selectively; buy instruments you reuse rather than renting constantly.
• Remote sessions: use stems-first workflows and cloud-based collaboration (Splice, Google Drive, or private Git-style version control for project files).

Cost-saving production tactics

• Reuse themes and motifs across placements to create a catalog effect.
• Co-write and split fees for bigger commissions; share session players across projects.
• Leverage regional subsidies, film commissions and co-production funds when scoring local productions that aim for global distribution.

AI tools: use with caution

AI can speed mockups and variant creation, but in 2026 rights around AI-generated material are still contested. If you use AI samples, keep airtight source records and avoid un-cleared training-derived sounds. When in doubt, produce the final deliverable with cleared human performances.

How publishers like Kobalt and partners like Madverse expand your reach

Working with a global admin publisher provides three practical benefits:

1. Automated worldwide collection — they aggregate performance data from international PROs and platforms.
2. Local registration and enforcement — partners handle territory-specific processes and disputes.
3. Pitch infrastructure — established publisher rosters get heard by music supervisors and content houses faster.

If you’re a South Asian composer or indie publisher, the Kobalt–Madverse model shows how local networks plugged into global admin eliminate friction. Madverse brings the local deep-dive — language, regional catalogs, market-fit — while Kobalt turns that catalog into money from U.S., EU and APAC performances and streams.

Quick checklists you can use now

Pitch Pack checklist

• Three private streaming links (no public downloads)
• Two-sentence show fit / mood line
• Stems availability note
• Basic licensing terms (non-exclusive, fee quote, territory)
• Contact info and publisher/admin details

Master metadata checklist

• ISRC (master) & ISWC (composition)
• Full writer & publisher splits
• PRO registrations in primary territories
• Cue descriptive tags (scene, mood, tempo)
• Delivery file names and version history

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Pitfall: Pitching raw demos with no stems. Fix: Always provide at least a dry stem and an instrumental bed.
• Pitfall: Confused ownership/splits. Fix: Complete split sheets before pitching and register with PROs.
• Pitfall: Not tracking where music is used. Fix: Use Content ID and ensure your publisher has a global claims strategy.

Action plan — what to do this month

1. Audit your top 20 tracks for sync-readiness: create stems and three edit lengths.
2. Register or confirm registrations with your PRO and assign ISRC/ISWC codes.
3. Build a 10-show watchlist and prepare tailored 3-track pitch packs for each title.
4. Reach out to one regional publisher or admin partner with a concrete ask (catalog review, admin quote).

Final notes: think catalog, not single hits

One placement can open doors, but catalogs earn steady income. Use the Kobalt–Madverse model to think like a publisher: organize, register, distribute and pitch consistently. In 2026, the winning creators combine musical excellence with admin-savvy and data discipline.

Call to action

Ready to get started? Audit one track today using the metadata checklist above. If you want a practical next step, compile your top three sync-ready tracks and create a 10-show watchlist — then submit your pack to a regional aggregator or pitch directly to a music supervisor. For hands-on help, consider connecting with local partners who plug into global admin networks like Madverse or Kobalt — they cut the collection and pitching friction and let your music be found and paid across the world.

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