How Social Media Is Transforming Music, Film, TV, and Advertising, and What It Means for Music Libraries

 

Social media has revolutionised how we discover, consume, and interact with entertainment. From discovering new music to finding the perfect sound for a video or ad, platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are reshaping the entertainment landscape. Trends that once took years to gain traction now spread in hours or days, with viral moments influencing everything from music charts to box office sales.

As social media changes the ways we experience music, films, TV shows, and even ads, music libraries are also adapting to meet the needs of today’s creators. Now, these libraries offer curated collections for social media, video projects, and advertisements, giving creators easy access to quality tracks that resonate with today’s digital audiences. In this one, we’ll have a quick look at how social media is impacting entertainment as a whole, from music to commercials and beyond.

1. Social Media: The New Music Discovery Hub

When it comes to discovering fresh music, social media is now the leading source. Rather than relying on traditional radio or browsing streaming apps, people find new songs directly on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, often through viral challenges or influencer recommendations.

 

Algorithms and UGC

Algorithms play a huge role in how we discover music on social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram customise content feeds based on user preferences, making it easy for new songs to go viral. If you’re a fan of indie pop, for example, you’ll start seeing videos that feature similar sounds, often exposing you to new artists and tracks. When these songs go viral, they can quickly jump to the top of the streaming charts.

 

Viral Challenges and Music Trends

UGC has changed the way songs gain popularity. When a track is paired with a viral dance or challenge, it can attract massive attention and quickly skyrocket in popularity. Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” is one of the most famous examples of this, as the song went viral on TikTok and eventually became a global hit. Music libraries are now filled with tracks designed to capture similar energy, giving creators access to music that aligns with the latest trends.

 

2. Social Media’s Role in Shaping Film and TV Viewing

Social media isn’t just changing how we find music—it’s also shaping our film and TV habits. Gone are the days when people relied solely on film trailers or TV ads. Now, memes, influencer endorsements, and fan theories play a big role in driving viewership.

 

Engaging Clips and Teasers

To attract social media audiences, studios now release short, engaging clips or teasers that people can easily share. For example, Netflix’s Stranger Things quickly became a social media phenomenon not only because of its storyline but also due to the endless fan theories, clips, and memes shared online. To support this trend, music libraries now offer dramatic and cinematic tracks, perfect for creators who want to capture that film trailer feel in their projects.

 

Reviving Classic Films and TV Shows

Social media is also helping revive classic films and shows. Short clips or sound bites from films like The Notebook or Mean Girls regularly make the rounds on platforms like TikTok, drawing new audiences to older content. Music libraries are responding to this trend by including more retro-inspired music for creators who want to give their content a nostalgic touch.

 

3. Social Media’s Impact on Ads and Commercials

Social media’s influence on advertising is significant, particularly in how brands select music and create campaigns. With so many ads now appearing as short videos on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, advertisers need music that aligns with social trends and user expectations.

 

Trending Sounds in Advertising

Many brands now use songs that are already popular on social media, creating an instant connection with audiences who recognise the tracks. By featuring familiar music, brands make their ads feel fresh, current, and in sync with what people are watching and listening to. Music libraries have adapted to these needs by providing tracks that capture the style and vibe of trending music, making it easy for advertisers to select the right sound.

 

Influencers in Advertising

Brands often partner with influencers to create ads that feel authentic to social media audiences. When influencers promote products using familiar music or popular sounds, ads feel more like social content than traditional commercials. Music libraries support these collaborations by offering high-quality music that influencers can use in ways that feel natural and engaging.

 

Interactive Campaigns and Social Engagement

Some brands go beyond traditional advertising with campaigns that encourage social media users to join in. McDonald’s meal collaborations, for example, have created major buzz by prompting users to share their own posts, often set to popular music. Music libraries enable brands to find music that fits these interactive campaigns, offering options that help create memorable, shareable content.

 

4. Music Libraries Adapting to Social Media Trends

Music libraries have evolved to keep up with the fast pace of social media. Instead of the lengthy licensing processes of the past, many libraries now offer easy access to music tracks that creators and advertisers can use on short notice.

Trend-Focused Music Selections

To stay relevant, music libraries frequently update their collections to match styles and genres trending on social platforms, including upbeat pop, lo-fi, cinematic, and electronic tracks. These libraries make it easy for creators to find music that feels fresh and relevant, aligning with what’s popular on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.

 

Flexible Access for Social Media Creators

Social media content is fast-paced, and creators need quick access to music without delays. Music libraries now offer flexible, straightforward options that make it easy for creators to download and use music instantly. This is ideal for influencers and brands working on short timelines, allowing them to get the right music for social videos, ad spots, or short films without unnecessary steps.

 

5. The Power of Influencers in Shaping Media Trends

Influencers are some of the biggest tastemakers on social media, shaping the music, films, and brands their audiences engage with. When influencers recommend a song, show, or even a specific brand, it can drive massive attention and new listeners or viewers.

 

Influencers as Curators of Music and Shows

Influencers often share their favourite songs, shows, and even brands with followers, making personal recommendations that audiences trust. For instance, music influencers frequently share playlists, while film influencers post binge-worthy show suggestions. Music libraries have responded by offering playlists and collections that influencers can draw from to add relevant music to their content, making recommendations feel even more personalised.

 

Creating Relatable Ads

Influencers are skilled at making ads feel authentic, even when working with brands. By pairing their personal style with the right music, they can create ads that feel more like natural recommendations than traditional commercials. Music libraries can offer flexible licensing options that allow influencers to find and use the right music to suit their content style and audience.

 

6. Social Media’s Role in Increasing Global Diversity in Entertainment

Social media connects people across borders, making it easy to discover music, films, and stories from all over the world. This global reach is bringing fresh genres and unique voices to new audiences every day.

Exposure to Global Genres

Through social media, genres like K-pop, reggaeton, and Afrobeats have found international fanbases, with fans sharing songs and creating content across cultures. Music libraries have taken note of these trends, offering diverse music from around the world so creators can easily access sounds that resonate globally.

Cross-Cultural Collaborations and Social Media Trends

Social media has also led to more collaborations between artists from different backgrounds, blending sounds and styles in unique ways. Huge hits like “Despacito” and Netflix series like Money Heist achieved worldwide popularity in part due to social media, showing just how impactful cross-cultural storytelling can be. Music libraries support these projects by offering a wide variety of genres, allowing creators to find music that captures the cross-cultural essence of today’s most popular media.

 

7. Challenges of Social Media’s Influence on Entertainment

While social media has opened new doors, it also has some challenges. With trends moving fast, content creators sometimes prioritise “viral potential” over more meaningful or long-lasting impact.

 

Quick Trends and Catchy Content

One downside of social media is that it often rewards “quick hit” content designed for virality, sometimes over quality or depth. This can mean that songs and videos focus more on what’s catchy and instantly shareable than on deeper storytelling. Music libraries address this challenge by providing a balance, offering both trend-driven tracks and high-quality music for creators who want to leave a lasting impression.

 

Shortened Lifespans for Media

The rapid turnover of social media trends can make it hard for any one song, show, or film to stay popular for long. To keep up, creators are always on the lookout for music that stays relevant even as trends change, and music libraries offer the flexibility they need to find music that holds up over time.

Conclusion: Social Media’s Influence and the Future of Music Libraries

Social media has completely changed how we find, share, and enjoy entertainment. Whether it’s music, films, or ad content, social platforms are now at the centre of our media experience. As social media continues to grow, music libraries are adapting, providing easy access to music for creators, influencers, and brands alike.

 

Looking ahead, it’s clear that social media will keep shaping what we watch and listen to. With the right music library, creators and brands can find tracks that match trends while also building connections with audiences in ways that resonate, even as new platforms and content styles emerge.