Why No Soundtrack Credits?

[awjoe]

I've started watching CBC entertainment productions recently. (Irrelevant to my question - it's just context.) I've watched three different series now, and I've noticed that none of them credit the soundtrack items they use during the show. Aside from the irritation factor of not being able to follow up on music I want to hear more of, there's the whole question of how they can use someone's music in a commercial production and not credit them. In no particular order:

* Is it because if you pay someone for the use of their music, you don't have to credit them?

* If they credit the actors and production crew, why would they not credit the artists who make the music?

* Why would they not provide musical credits simply for the viewers who want to know what they're listening to?

* Is it the same where you live?

[Drew Stephenson]

* Is it because if you pay someone for the use of their music, you don't have to credit them?

Depends on how the music has been licensed. If it was created as a work-for-hire then a credit might not be required. Similarly if it's library music then it might not be a requirement.

* If they credit the actors and production crew, why would they not credit the artists who make the music?

Nobody cares about music.
Or maybe it's all AI generated and they don't want to admit that?

* Why would they not provide musical credits simply for the viewers who want to know what they're listening to?

Maybe they just assume we're all working around with Shazam permanently active on our phones...?

* Is it the same where you live?

Don't really watch much telly so I haven't noticed I must confess.

[Sam Spoons]

Yes it is the same, I can't remember ever seeing a soundtrack* composer in the credits of a TV show. My other complaint is that the credits scroll past far too fast to be able to read them anyway and are often squeezed into a small window to make room for "the great god advertising".

* Or even theme tunes, though it's usually possible to find who composed/played theme tunes and often background/soundtrack music 'via Google.

[Wonks]

There are UK TV shows where they’ve commissioned someone to write the theme tune or background music and you’ll see them credited e.g. the late Big George for HIGNFY and Howard Goodall for QI.

But where they’ve used library music I presume there’s no need, as all the credit is in the fee paid to the library company. At best you might see the name of the library company as that’s who the music provision contract is with.

[BWC]

Yep, I have to use websites like https://www.tunefind.com/ when I want to know!

[Stratman57]

IMdB usually has the credits for music and songs used in TV series.

Regards, Simon.

[ManFromGlass]

Here in Canada we watch mainly non-north american tv series. Some composers get on-screen credits and some don’t. I, too, like to know who the composer is.
I know there is a glut of composers, literally thousands of them trying to land the gig, that they will accept almost anything in a contract these days as the rent must get paid.
Credits also seem really short too. Just long enough for an actor or two, the producer’s names and director for the opening credits and long enough for a few actors and a few production people at the end. Some shows don’t decide on the composer until there is not much time left until the mix dates start so the edit along with credits are already locked in. Some composers have an agent who should take care of credit details, some don’t. Some composers sign over the copyright and even the writer’s share to get the gig. If the composer is with a PRO then that usually is in violation of the PRO agreement so perhaps that’s another reason why there is no composer credit.
Imdb is a good idea.

[Hugh Robjohns]

I can't remember ever seeing a soundtrack* composer in the credits of a TV show.

You need to look more carefully! It's not universal, by any means, but most UK dramas, documentaries and comedies do credit the composer when there is one. Some games shows, do too.

News and Current Affairs tend not to, because although themes are typically custom composed, incidental music is more likely to be library music.

[Sam Spoons]

Credits these days are almost always played out in a tiny window while some form of advertising goes on on the rest of screen and they don't always play them to the finish so unimportant stuff like the composer and studio cat get missed...

[Wonks]

But you should be able to maximise the small window on most streaming platforms.

[ManFromGlass]

Credits these days are almost always played out in a tiny window while some form of advertising goes on on the rest of screen and they don't always play them to the finish so unimportant stuff like the composer and studio cat get missed...

Over here I haven’t seen the side squish happen when streaming, only with “regular” tv.

[awjoe]

IMdB usually has the credits for music and songs used in TV series.

Regards, Simon.

"See production info at IMdBPro"

...which requires a subscription. All part of my education though.

Also, some kind soul assembled a soundtrack songlist on Spotify for one series I'm interested in, but clicking on one tune after another looking for the tune I'm looking for invokes the 30-second ad at the beginning each tune. Disincentivizing.

[awjoe]

I know there is a glut of composers, literally thousands of them trying to land the gig, that they will accept almost anything in a contract these days as the rent must get paid...

The stuff I've been trying to ID isn't from a series composer, it's commercial stuff that they're using snippets of, sometimes very effectively. I'm sure somebody's getting paid for the use of this stuff, so maybe the principle is (production team speaking to artist) 'You've been paid for your work, so don't expect a free plug, too.'

BTW, I've contacted both CBC and the production company about one track, but no joy. It ought not to be this hard.

[Stratman57]

Soundtrack info if available usually appears below the Trivia, Quotes and Goofs section in the freely viewable IMdB.

Regards, Simon.

[Drew Stephenson]

Soundtrack info if available usually appears below the Trivia, Quotes and Goofs section in the freely viewable IMdB.

Which tells you quite a bit about where these things stand in the eyes (or ears) of the general public.

[awjoe]

Soundtrack info if available usually appears below the Trivia, Quotes and Goofs section in the freely viewable IMdB.

Regards, Simon.

A deeper dive! I didn't find what I was looking for, but I enjoyed using that feature to search. Thanks!

[illegal colors]

Appearance of credits can be negotiated by agents or unions. Font size, time on screen, etc. could be specified. Even when work is not used in the final cut failure to comply with the requirements can easily result in substantial financial compensation. Eddy Grant received payment and songwriting credit for Romancing the Stone but the song wasn't used in the film.

[awjoe]

* Why would they not provide musical credits simply for the viewers who want to know what they're listening to?

Maybe they just assume we're all working around with Shazam permanently active on our phones...?

This turned out to be the solution. Turns out I can run Shazam AND play the track in a different app simultaneously and get a read. Every day's a school day.

[awjoe]

Appearance of credits can be negotiated by agents or unions. Font size, time on screen, etc. could be specified. Even when work is not used in the final cut failure to comply with the requirements can easily result in substantial financial compensation. Eddy Grant received payment and songwriting credit for Romancing the Stone but the song wasn't used in the film.

This suggests the reason for NOT crediting people if you can avoid it.

[Drew Stephenson]

This turned out to be the solution. Turns out I can run Shazam AND play the track in a different app simultaneously and get a read. Every day's a school day.

[Stratman57]

Here's a good example of IMdB credits, I just started watching this series on Prime.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0543936/?ref_=ext_shr

Regards, Simon.