For Media & Brands
Why newsrooms pay for viral footage (and how much)
Every time a storm, a rescue, or a strange moment on the street gets filmed by a bystander, there’s a good chance a newsroom somewhere is trying to license it before their competitor does. It’s a market most people outside the media industry never see - but it moves fast, and it moves on money.
The gap broadcasters can’t fill themselves
Newsrooms can’t be everywhere. A regional flood, a dramatic rescue, a strange weather event - the only camera on the scene is usually a bystander’s phone. For broadcasters, licensing that footage is faster and cheaper than sending a crew, and it’s often the only footage that exists at all.
What drives the price
Licensing rates vary based on a few consistent factors: exclusivity (an exclusive license costs more than a shared one), how newsworthy the moment is, video quality, and how many outlets are competing for the same clip. A dramatic rescue with clean vertical footage and full exclusivity can command a very different rate than a shared non-exclusive clip of a common event.
Why buyers work with TBViral
Every video in our catalogue has cleared rights and verified ownership before it’s ever offered to a buyer - which means no surprise takedown requests, no copyright disputes, and no wasted legal review. We typically respond to licensing requests within 24 hours.
If you’re a media outlet, brand, or agency looking for verified, cleared footage, visit our Licensing page to get started.