About Cue Sheets
Simply complete them as usual, telling the broadcaster the royalty free music track titles and composer's names etc.
This enables the broadcasters to tell the relevant performance rights societies, so that performance royalties can be
distributed as usual. This still costs you, as the producer, nothing! If your production is not a film, TV or radio broadcast,
you do not need a cue sheet.
Cue Sheet FAQ
What is a cue sheet?
A cue sheet is a document that lists all of the musical elements of an audio/visual program. Performance rights
societies use cue sheets to determine to whom it distributes performance royalties.
What information is required in order to complete a cue sheet and for Performance rights societiesto accept it?
The cue sheet should have identifying information for the program it represents (i.e. film, episode of television
series, etc.) and should list the cue title, duration, usage and entitled parties (writers/composers and publishers)
for each cue.
Is there an "Industry Standard" cue sheet?
Yes. The industry has established standards in regards to terms and what information is required on a cue sheet
for it to be valid.
Who is responsible for submitting the cue sheets to Performance rights societies?
The production company is responsible for submitting cue sheets. Typically, this responsibility is handled by the
music department. Although cue sheets may come in from other sources, the copy from the production company
is always considered authoritative.
What is the deadline to submit cue sheets to Performance rights societies?
As soon as possible; ideally no later than three months after the original broadcast for a television program.
For a theatrically released feature film, cue sheets should be on file before the first foreign theatrical performance.
Do I need to submit cue sheets for re-runs?
No.
Do I need to register each cue with the title registration system?
You do not need to register a work if the work is: underscore (music written for the audiovisual production and will
only exist within the production); logo; theme (theme music written for the audiovisual production that will only exist
within the production).
A registration is required if the work is: not written for the audiovisual production and will exist outside of the production
(even if it is another production); a work that has a life outside of the production (e.g. popular work that airs on radio).
Do infomercials, commercials, etc. require cue sheets as well?
Infomercials, commercials and any other audio/visual products that contain multiple pieces of music require cue sheets.
The production company does not have a publishing company established. What happens to their publisher's share of performance royalties?
If the production company negotiated that it retains the publishing interests of the underscore in the composer's
agreement, it is obviously in their best interest to establish a publishing company to receive performance royalties.
If the publishing is established after the cue sheets have been filed, it is imperative to alert ASCAP that those cue
sheets need to be updated to reflect this new membership.