Paperwork
What is a cue sheet?
A cue sheet is the log of every piece of music in a show or film: title, timing, usage and who owns it. It is how performing rights organizations know whom to pay when the production airs.
Key takeaways
An official log of the music
A cue sheet lists all the music used in a production. PROs use it to track music in film and television.
The production company files it
ASCAP typically only accepts cue sheets from a production company or network, not directly from members.
Check your cues and shares
Writers should still check their cues and shares were reported correctly.
Why it matters
When a song plays on TV or in a film, the licensing fee is only part of the money. Performing rights organizations pay writers and publishers for the performance, and they need a cue sheet to do it. BMI calls it the primary tool PROs use to track music in film and television; ASCAP says it must receive one to distribute royalties for those performances. BMI: What is a cue sheet? · checked October 20, 2026
What goes on a cue sheet
| # | 2Cue title | 3Usage | 4Duration | 5Writers and shares | 6Publisher, society |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harbor Theme | Series theme | 0:48 | A. Marlowe, 100% | Marlowe Music, ASCAP |
| 2 | Low Tide Walk | Background instrumental | 1:32 | A. Marlowe, 100% | Marlowe Music, ASCAP |
| 3 | Letters Unsent | Visual vocal | 2:15 | R. Quill, 50%; S. Vance, 50% | Quill Songs, BMI; Vance Publishing, BMI |
- 1 The production. Title, episode, air date, show duration and who made it.
- 2 Cue title. The song or cue name.
- 3 Usage. How the music was used, such as series theme, visual vocal or background instrumental.
- 4 Duration. How long the music played.
- 5 Writers and shares. Each writer and their ownership share of the cue.
- 6 Publisher and society. Each publisher and the performing rights society of each party.
- The production. Series or film title (and any alternate title), episode title and number, air date, show duration and production company.
- Every piece of music. The song or cue title and the music’s duration.
- How it was used. For example a series theme, visual instrumental, visual vocal or background instrumental. BMI’s list calls this “Usage”.
- Who wrote it. Each composer or songwriter, and their ownership share of the cue.
- Who publishes it. Each publisher and share, and the performing rights society of each party.
- Who to contact. The name and contact details of the production company submitting the cue sheet.
The first four rows follow BMI’s list of what a complete cue sheet includes; the usage examples and contact row come from ASCAP’s guidance. ASCAP: Cue Sheet Corner · checked October 20, 2026
Timing
ASCAP recommends cue sheets be submitted as soon as possible, ideally no later than three months after the original broadcast of a TV program. It publishes quarterly submission deadlines on its Cue Sheet Corner page, so check that page rather than relying on a date copied here.
If you are the writer
You usually do not file it yourself: the production company is typically responsible. You can make it right by giving the licensee your legal name, PRO, IPI number and agreed split before the show airs. A signed split sheet does most of this in one page.
Questions people ask
What is a cue sheet?
A cue sheet is a log of every piece of music in a TV show, film or other production: what it was, how long it played, how it was used and who owns it. Performing rights organizations use it to pay the right writers and publishers.
Who is responsible for the cue sheet?
The production company. ASCAP says it typically only accepts cue sheets from a production company or network, not directly from members. Composers and writers should still check their cues and shares were reported correctly.
Do I need a cue sheet for a sync placement?
ASCAP says it must receive a cue sheet to distribute royalties for performances in television and film. Ask the licensee whether one will be filed.
Is there a standard template?
Yes. ASCAP says the music industry has established standards for what a cue sheet must contain, and that ASCAP and BMI, with major production companies, developed a common industry standard. Both offer a cue sheet template.