musicgloballicensing

Global Music Partnerships: How to Source South Asian Tracks for Your Yoga Flow

UUnknown

2026-02-25

11 min read

How mat brands can license authentic South Asian music via publisher partnerships like Kobalt + Madverse for legal, global livestreams and on-demand classes.

Hook: Stop Guessing — License Authentic South Asian Music for Your Global Yoga Classes

If you’re a mat brand or instructor producing livestreams and on-demand yoga classes, you’ve probably lost sleep over two questions: “Can I legally use that South Asian track?” and “How will royalties be collected across 30+ territories?” Those pain points are real — and solvable. In 2026, publisher partnerships like Kobalt + Madverse are changing the game, making it easier to license unique South Asian music with transparent royalty collection for global classes and diverse playlists.

The big news and why it matters now

In January 2026, major industry outlets covered a strategic partnership between independent music publisher Kobalt and India-based Madverse Music Group. The deal links Madverse’s community of South Asian songwriters, composers and producers to Kobalt’s global publishing administration and royalty collection network — a structural fix for the cross-border headaches mat brands face when sourcing authentic regional music.

“Kobalt Partners With India’s Madverse to Expand Publishing Reach” — Variety, Jan 15, 2026.

What this means for you: one point of access to legally cleared South Asian tracks and a better shot at complete royalty collection in multiple territories. For brands and instructors producing classes for a global audience, that is operationally and legally critical.

Quick takeaways — the executive summary (read first)

Sync licensing + publishing admin: For on-demand classes you need synchronization (sync) clearance plus master usage rights; publisher partnerships simplify the publishing/admin side.
Global royalty capture: Partnered publishers like Kobalt improve cross-territory royalty collection for live and recorded performances.
Local nuance matters: South Asian music has unique rights pathways and cultural sampling considerations — use publishers with on-the-ground relationships (e.g., Madverse).
Practical workflow: Identify the track → secure sync + master rights → register with PROs and the publisher → submit cue sheets and metadata → track royalties.

Why publisher partnerships are the best route for mat brands in 2026

Brands selling mats and running classes face three intersecting problems: sourcing authentic music, securing global rights, and ensuring transparent payment to creators. Publishers and admin partners solve all three:

Access: Publishers curate catalogs and networks of composers — saving you time and vetting.
Administration: They register works, collect mechanical and performance royalties internationally, and distribute payments.
Clearance workflows: They provide standardized sync deals and can negotiate creative briefs for custom commissions.

What makes the Kobalt + Madverse model relevant

Kobalt brings publishing administration scale and territory reach; Madverse brings South Asian creative depth and community relationships. For mat brands this translates to practical benefits: quicker licensing timelines, fewer missing royalty payments, and access to music that sounds locally authentic yet fits global wellness branding.

Step-by-step playbook: How to source South Asian tracks via publisher partnerships

Follow this repeatable workflow to license music legally and efficiently for live and on-demand classes.

Step 1 — Define your usage and budget (5 minutes)

Clarify: livestream-only? On-demand catalog? Limited series or ongoing classes? Territory (global vs limited markets)? Use this to determine which rights you need and estimated sync fees. Typical categories:

Livestream (performance rights via PRO administration)
On-demand video (requires sync license + master use license)
Downloadable audio (may require mechanical licenses)
Commercial advertising or product videos (higher-value sync fees)

Step 2 — Search curated catalogs and local communities (30–120 minutes)

Start with publisher catalogs and communities: Madverse’s roster, Kobalt’s admin catalog, and boutique sync libraries specializing in South Asian styles. Use mood tags like "downtempo tabla", "classical fusion", "ambient raga" and search by instrumentation (sitar, flute, bansuri) to match your flow’s energy.

Step 3 — Vet tracks with short demos and stems (1–2 days)

Request stems (instrumental/vocal/loop versions) and short stems that let your instructors rehearse. Stems help you adjust mix and volume so music supports instruction and doesn’t clash with voiceover. Publishers often supply stems for a fee or as part of a sync deal.

Step 4 — Negotiate sync + master terms

Sync (publisher) + master (recording owner) are distinct. If the publisher represents both sides (common with Madverse community + Kobalt admin), you can secure a bundled license faster. Key deal points:

Rights granted: Streaming, on-demand, download, promos, territories.
Term: 1 year, multi-year, or perpetual — longer terms lower per-use costs.
Exclusivity: Non-exclusive is cheaper and fine for playlists; exclusive costs more.
Fees: Flat sync fee, revenue-share, or hybrid. See fee guide below.

Step 5 — Metadata, registrations and cue sheets (critical)

Accurate metadata is the single biggest determinant of whether royalties find the right creators. Collect and submit:

Track title, artist, composer credits
ISRC (master) and ISWC (composition) codes
Publisher and writer IP splits
Performance cue sheets for each streamed class

Publishers like Kobalt will help register works with PROs (ASCAP/BMI/PRS/IPRS) and digital service providers. They will also forward mechanical and neighboring rights claims to local societies in India and abroad.

Step 6 — Clearance for samples and cultural elements

South Asian music often uses sampled traditional recordings or religious chants. Clear any sampled source recordings and be culturally sensitive — obtain explicit permissions when required and steer clear of exploitative uses. Publishers with local expertise are best positioned to navigate community approvals.

Step 7 — Track plays and collect royalties

For livestreams: submit play logs and cue sheets to the publisher/PRO promptly. For on-demand: ensure content is registered with the aggregator and that sync and master licenses are in place. Use publisher dashboards to monitor royalties and geographies where your classes are consumed.

Step 8 — Promote artists and build long-term partnerships

Amplify the artists you license: include track credits on class pages, link to artist profiles, and consider co-marketing. This builds goodwill and can reduce future sync fees for collaborative projects. Many South Asian creators are eager to reach global wellness audiences.

Practical legal and licensing notes for non-lawyers

Keep these simple rules top-of-mind:

Sync license: Needed whenever music is paired with moving images (on-demand class videos).
Master license: Needed to use a specific recorded performance.
Performance rights: For livestreams you need performance licensing—publishers and PROs handle collection.
Mechanical rights: If you allow downloads of audio, mechanical royalties may apply.
Territory matters: A license limited to the U.S. won’t cover viewers in India or the EU; choose world rights for global classes.

Fee benchmarks (ballpark ranges for 2026)

Fees vary with artist profile, territory, exclusivity, and duration. Use these as starting points for budgeting — always get written quotes.

Non-exclusive sync for on-demand fitness class (single track): $250–$2,000.
Bundled catalog license (multiple tracks, non-exclusive, multi-year): $2,000–$15,000.
Exclusive custom composition for a branded series: $2,500–$25,000+ (higher for prominent composers).
Live event or high-reach commercial use: Negotiable and often higher than on-demand rates.

Note: publisher-administered collections and performance royalties are additional to initial sync fees and are paid out to the rightsholders via PROs and admin networks like Kobalt’s.

2026 trends affecting how you license South Asian music

Recent developments in late 2025 and early 2026 shape what mat brands should expect:

Publisher consolidation with regional partners: Deals like Kobalt + Madverse create faster cross-border admin and better royalty flows.
Greater transparency: Artists and publishers push for more transparent royalty statements and real‑time dashboards.
Micro-licensing and AI clauses: Publishers now offer granular micro-licenses and standard clauses covering generative AI use of stems — important if you plan to use AI to remix tracks.
Growing demand for regional authenticity: Wellness consumers want culturally genuine soundscapes, not generic “world” music — plan to credit and compensate appropriately.

Case study: A mat brand licenses a Madverse track via Kobalt (hypothetical)

Scenario: A mat brand launching a 20-class on-demand series with a South Asian fusion theme.

They contact Madverse/Kobalt for catalog options and ask for stems and usage rights for streaming worldwide.
Kobalt provides the publisher admin history, ISWC/ISRC codes, and confirms registered splits with PROs.
Brand negotiates a non-exclusive sync + master bundle for a 2-year term, paying a $3,500 sync fee for 10 tracks.
Brand submits cue sheets for each class and includes track credits on class pages; Kobalt collects performance royalties from viewers in India, EU, and North America and distributes to writers and the label.
Brand co-promotes the artist, driving new listens and reciprocal marketing value.

Outcome: Legal clarity, cleaner royalty reporting, and a culturally resonant sound for the series.

Operational checklist for your legal and ops teams

Define use cases and territories.
Identify publisher partners with South Asian reach (Madverse, regional labels).
Request stems, ISRC/ISWC, and split sheets before negotiating.
Secure sync + master agreements in writing with clear terms.
Register works with publisher/PROs and upload accurate cue sheets after each class.
Track royalties through the publisher dashboard and reconcile quarterly.
Credit artists on class pages and in descriptions.

Negotiation tips — what to ask and what to avoid

Ask for:

Detailed metadata and proof of rights (ISRC, ISWC, split sheets).
Audit rights or royalty dashboard access.
Clear clauses for derivative works and AI usage if you plan remixes.

Avoid:

Vague “worldwide” terms without territory carve-outs or clarity.
Paying high up-front fees without ensuring performance royalty capture.
Using sampled ethnic recordings without documented clearances and community approvals.

Work with local artists: Commission short-form pieces that align with class phases (warm-up, flow, cool-down).
Credit and educate: Add a short artist bio and instrument guide in class descriptions to increase listener appreciation.
Mix traditional and modern: Blend acoustic instruments (tabla, sruthi box) with ambient textures to respect heritage while fitting yoga pacing.
Revenue sharing: Consider profit share or promo support that benefits creators in the long term.

Technology and integrations that make the workflow smoother

In 2026, use these tools to reduce friction:

Publisher admin dashboards (royalty splits, territories, statement exports)
Digital asset managers (stems, stems metadata, licensing docs)
Automated cue-sheet exporters from your video platform
Metadata validators for ISRC/ISWC standardization

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Be mindful of these recurring mistakes:

Using an artist’s Spotify track without permission — streaming does not equal sync clearance.
Assuming PRO registration in one country covers global streaming royalties — it doesn’t without admin from a global publisher.
Skipping stem requests: leads to poor mixes where music drowns instruction.
Neglecting cultural clearances for sacred or traditional recordings.

Future-looking strategies (2026 and beyond)

To stay ahead:

Build long-term relationships with regional publishers — they’ll prioritize your briefs and fast-track clearances.
Invest in original commissions with shared ownership clauses to reduce repeated sync fees.
Adopt transparent royalty reporting as a brand value — it resonates with consumers and creators alike.
Track AI policy changes and ensure licensing covers generative reuse if you plan remixes or AI-enhanced soundscapes.

Resources and next steps

Start small: license one track for a pilot class, measure engagement and admin friction, then scale. Reach out to publishers directly and ask for a sample contract and the artist’s metadata packet. If you’re unsure about rights in India, prioritize partners who can confirm local clearances and registration with IPRS or other Indian admin bodies.

Final checklist before you publish a class

Signed sync + master licenses covering all intended uses.
Stems delivered and integrated into class mixes.
Accurate metadata and ISRC/ISWC registered with the publisher.
Cue sheets prepared and submitted after each live class.
Artist credits and links visible on the class page.
Monitoring set up to track global royalty statements.

Closing — the opportunity for mat brands and instructors

Publisher partnerships like Kobalt + Madverse remove significant friction for mat brands and instructors seeking authentic South Asian music for global classes. They offer scale, better royalty capture and the local expertise necessary to license music respectfully and efficiently. Use the playbook above to pilot your first licensed playlist, and build from there: culturally rich music plus transparent licensing = stronger brand trust and better creator relationships.

Call to action

Ready to license your first South Asian track? Download our free licensing checklist and sample sync agreement template, or book a 20-minute consult with our music licensing coach to walk through your specific use case. Secure authentic music, protect your brand, and pay creators fairly — start the conversation today.

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Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.