The BBC: Using game music in their shows

[toythatkills]

I don't know about just game music but in Eastenders last night, Phil and his son Ben were using PS2 controllers to play something that almost, but not quite, completely failed to resemble an actual video game in every way. It was hilarious!

I was completely baffled by that scene, and then the next one with the really cliche "you died" screen. What on Earth were they doing? They could have stuck a real game on or just not shown the screen!

[Mr M0by]

A month or two ago, the beeb during some sports round-up/presentation used the Mirrors Edge theme, which brought a smile to my face. Love that soundtrack.

[Anpanman]

I would've thought they'd have to get permission just like any other licensing.

Yes but I think they don't have to pay royalties if it's less than so many seconds.

R4 does play some music but they are always tiny clips I believe to get around royalty payments.

Though I could have dream't the whole lot and be talking complete gibberish.

[MonkeyJuggleDX]

I was completely baffled by that scene, and then the next one with the really cliche "you died" screen. What on Earth were they doing? They could have stuck a real game on or just not shown the screen!

I saw that too. Wasn't it the pool stage from Mortal Kombat II? I also seem to remember one of the characters had Ryu's face.

Most strange.

[Flabio]

For TV you can use anything at all as long as the rights owner is registered with some central service (that I forget the name of).

The TV companies pay X amount of cash into that every year, and it's doled out evenly to all the members.

This is why you get loads of contemporary music on TV, but why they have often havt to change all the music out for DVD releases (which, like films, require you to clear the individual tracks).

(For example, the DVD sets for Beavis and Butthead and Daria, both originally MTV shows rammed with 'current' music, are muzakked to death)

[Darwock]

Speaking of which is there anywhere that you can still see Beavis & Butthead with the music video commentaries? They were often the best part of the show.

[Flabio]

BitTorrent, and that's probably about it.

[Wil]

For anyone with a wish to see the EastEnders video game atrocity - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il7gPKRhSDs

Go on Phil, 'ave him!

[JohnMcL7]

For anyone with a wish to see the EastEnders video game atrocity - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il7gPKRhSDs

Go on Phil, 'ave him!

Woah, I see the earlier posts weren't exaggerating...that is appalling, why on earth put any time and effort to produce something that bad?!

John

[Darwock]

Did he really say "Just get on top of me, and spunk on me" to his son?

[losersclub]

Did he really say "Just get on top of me, and spunk on me" to his son?

Hahaha i'd assumed it was just my sick mind that thought i'd heard that!!

[mr_sockochris]

Two garish looking character models with Ryu's head on one of the infront of a background from Mortal Kombat II

[Brodie]

Japanese TV seems to exclusively use videogame music and sound effects for their programmes.

Morning Musume's old tv show used to always use SEGA music for sections - lots of Space Channel 5 and Billy Hatcher at one point I recall.

[Skull Commander]

Did he really say "Just get on top of me, and spunk on me" to his son?

I heard that too, much to the disgust of my wife!

[NekoFever]

Are they allowed to just lift that stuff? I wasn't aware games companies really licensed this stuff out.

Why wouldn't they? It's free money to them.

All of the examples mentioned here seem to be games that have had their soundtracks released on CD, so maybe they just go through them, licensing their music libraries in bulk.

I think I've got similar taste to whoever picks the music for Top Gear, though. As well as an increasing number of game soundtracks you can pick out a handful of films that pop up again and again. Gladiator, Kill Bill, Sunshine, etc.