Television is an integral part of the entertainment industry. Major studios like Sony, Universal, and Disney spend hundreds of millions each year on new content development, production, and marketing – all in the hope of creating a mega-hit to boost ratings and attract commercial sponsors.
Some shows can be more expensive to produce than we realize, including special effects, casting salaries, sets, and other set costs. To succeed even nostalgic programs required major investments. Many used product placement to boost their budgets. These beloved TV shows were expensive, and you might not have realized it!
10 How I Met Your Mother
Fans were captivated by Ted Mosby’s search for the woman of his dreams for nine seasons. This series was a huge success for CBS, but they had to keep the show’s ratings high each season in order to maintain profitability. HIMYM was a high-end series that cost $2 million an episode. Jason Segel and Josh Radnor took home $5 million each season.
The network was not content with a television show, as were many of the other popular shows of its time. Because of its success merchandise started to appear all over the country. CBS capitalized on its success by launching clothing, homeware, and Funko Wacky Wobblers.
9 The Walking Dead
AMC struck gold when they took on The Walking Dead in 2010. Thanks to the ever-evolving stories derived from the comic source material, the series continues to thrive after its 10th season. AMC CEO Josh Sapan doesn’t plan on closing the series anytime soon, despite it being expensive to produce at $2.75 million per episode.
Sapan said in 2018 that he has plans for at least another ten years of seasons. However, the costs of production are expected to rise and not fall over the next few decades. While technology will improve, salaries will grow. According to rumors, Norman Reedus is the only one who receives $1 million per episode.