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Television composing offers additional financial avenues, particularly in traditional broadcast formats where shows may run for numerous episodes and seasons. Established composers can earn between $16,000 and $20,000 per episode, while newcomers generally see between $10,000 and $13,000 per episode. Unlike video games, television composing often provides royalties every time an episode airs or is streamed, adding another layer of income.
As a composer gaining experience and working on successul shows, the potential royalties from syndication and extended viewership can accumulate significantly over time, sometimes leading to million-dollar earnings purely from royalties. This explains the importance of not giving up writer royalties when negotiating contracts.