Audio Launch
Also called: music launch, audio release
An audio launch is a public event marking the release of a film's soundtrack ahead of its theatrical release. In South Indian cinema — especially Tamil and Telugu — audio launches are major marketing milestones, frequently held in stadiums or large auditoriums, with the cast and crew, music director, lyricists, and a roster of celebrity guests on stage. The event includes song performances, speeches, comedy interludes, and a 'glimpse' or trailer reveal. Television and streaming broadcasts of audio launches reach audiences in the tens of millions for major films. The convention dates to at least the 1980s but became a high-stakes spectacle in the 2010s, particularly in Telugu cinema, where it has evolved into the larger pre-release event.