Jump to content

List of most expensive television series

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of most expensive television series.

Over $10 million

[edit]
Most expensive television series (cost per episode)
Title Year(s)
  • Cost (est.)
  • (in millions)
Ref. and notes
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power 2022–present $58 [1]
Stranger Things 2016–present $30 [2]
The Acolyte 2024 $28.75 [3]
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law 2022 $25 [4]
WandaVision 2021 $25 [5]
House of the Dragon 2022–present $20 [6]
The Mandalorian 2019–present $15 [7]
See 2019–2022 $15 [7]
Game of Thrones 2011–2019 $15 [8]
The Sandman 2022–present $15 [9]
ER 1994–2009 $13 [10]

Over $1 million

[edit]
Title Year(s)
  • Cost (est.)
  • (in millions)
Ref. and notes
Now and Again 1999–2000 $2.4 [11]
Cheers 1982–1993 $2.2 [12]
Nash Bridges 1996–2001 $2 [13]
Miami Vice 1984–1990 $2 [14]
Stargate SG-1 1997–2007 $2 [15]
The Flash (1990 TV series) 1990–1991 $1.6 [16]
Stargate Atlantis 2004–2009 $1.5 [17]
The Simpsons 1989–present $1.5 In 1996 only [18]
Dallas (1978 TV series) 1978-1991 $1.2 [19]
Falcon Crest 1981-1990 $1 [20]
Farscape 1999–2003 $1 [21]
Afro Samurai 2007–2007 $1 [22]
Da Vinci's Inquest 1998–2005 $1 [23]

Below $1 million

[edit]
Title Year(s) Cost (est.) Ref. and notes
Dora the Explorer 2000–2019 $500,000 [24]
One World 1998–2001 $400,000 [25]
Astro Boy 2003–2004 $250,000 [26]
Rex the Runt 1998–2005 $166,000 [25]
Pokémon 1997–present $100,000 [27]
Cardcaptor Sakura 1998–2000 $100,000 [28]

Total TV series cost

[edit]
Total cost
Title Year(s)
  • Cost (est.)
  • (in millions)
Ref. and notes
The Acolyte 2024 $231 [3]
The Pacific 2010 $200 [29]
3 Body Problem 2024-present $160 Season 1 only[30]
Fallout 2024-present $153 Season 1 only[31]
The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles 1992–1996 $27 [32]
Amazon 1999–2000 $26 [33]
Tiny Toon Adventures 1990–1992 $25 The first 65 episodes only[34]
BraveStarr 1987–1988 $20 [35]
ThunderCats 1985–1989 $15 Season 1 only[36]
The Puzzle Place 1995–1998 $10.3 The first 41 episodes only[37]
Atomic Betty 2004–2008 $9 [38]
Cosmos: A Personal Voyage 1980-1981 $8.2 [37]
WMAC Masters 1995–1997 $5.5 Season 1 only[39]
Van-Pires 1997 $5.2 [40]
Cubix 2001-2004 $4.5 6 billion Won ($4.5 million)[41]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ash, Janelle (July 22, 2022). "Amazon spends $465 million for first season of 'Lord of the Rings' spinoff series". Fox Business. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  2. ^ Flint, Joe (April 21, 2022). "Netflix, Facing Reality Check, Vows to Curb Its Profligate Ways". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  3. ^ a b Jonas J., Campbell (September 24, 2024). "Exclusive: Star Wars "The Acolyte" Real Costs Exploded to $230 Million According to New Tax Documents". The Park Place. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  4. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (November 1, 2023). "Crisis at Marvel: Jonathan Majors Back-Up Plans, 'The Marvels' Reshoots, Reviving Original Avengers and More Issues Revealed". Variety. Archived from the original on November 1, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  5. ^ Jarvey, Natalie (October 16, 2019). "Disney Over the Top: Bob Iger Bets the Company (and Hollywood's Future) on Streaming". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  6. ^ Maas, Jennifer (April 22, 2022). "How HBO Kept 'House of the Dragon' Costs Under $20 Million per Episode (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 22, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Schwartzel, Erich (July 10, 2019). "Coming to a Streaming Service Near You: Shows Costing as Much as Big-Budget Movies". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  8. ^ Ryan, Maureen (September 26, 2017). "TV Series Budgets Hit the Breaking Point as Costs Skyrocket in Peak TV Era". Variety. Archived from the original on September 27, 2017. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Hayes, Dave (April 18, 2022). "Binge Times' Book Excerpt: When Cutthroat Media Rivals Decided To Join Forces To Create Hulu, Streaming's Unlikely Trailblazer". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 18, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  10. ^ Rice, Lynette (January 15, 1998). "Bloody expensive". Birmingham Post-Herald. p. 20. Archived from the original on March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Untitled". The Charlotte Observer. August 20, 2000. p. 110. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024. Retrieved August 1, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Lippman, John (February 7, 1991). "Is 'Cheers' Worth $120 Million? : Television: Paramount thinks so. But to renew the show, cost-conscious NBC would give up all the ad revenue generated by its top-rated hit". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 28, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2024.
  13. ^ Lowry, Brian (August 13, 1997). "Hercules and Xena : Conquer the World". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  14. ^ Shiver, Jube (March 17, 1986). "Profit Squeeze Leads to Tangle Over Licensing, Tax Credits : TV Networks, Producers Battle Over Fees". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  15. ^ "Beyong the Stargate". The Sydney Morning Herald. June 7, 1998. p. 231. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ King, Susan (September 19, 1990). "Flash' Suits Up for a Sizzling TV Ratings Race". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved August 5, 2024.
  17. ^ Mcnamara, Lynne (June 12, 2004). "Untitled". Vancouver Sun. p. 33. Archived from the original on April 29, 2024. Retrieved April 9, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Simpsons TV show sets longevity record". The Cincinnati Enquirer. January 7, 1996. p. 48. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved August 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ Malleck, Bonnie (November 18, 1988). "Cost of TV series is staggering". Waterloo Region Record. p. 40. Archived from the original on August 11, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Changes in store for this season of Falcon Crest". The Atlanta Constitution. August 24, 1986. p. 410. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  21. ^ Ryan, Maureen (August 8, 2003). "Science friction". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  22. ^ "Untitled". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. December 17, 2006. p. 82. Archived from the original on March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ Cheadle, Bruce (March 15, 2002). "Loosen rules:CBC". The Gazette. p. 12. Archived from the original on August 5, 2024. Retrieved August 5, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ Albiniak, Paige (November 12, 2005). "Little Viewers, Big Squabble". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  25. ^ a b Hood, Duncan (January 1999). "The serious paradox of the successful teen comedy". Kidscreen. Archived from the original on October 8, 1999. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  26. ^ "Astro Boy Flies Again" (PDF). The Wall Street Journal. January 15, 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 17, 2004. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  27. ^ Rutenberg, Jim (January 28, 2001). "Violence Finds a Niche in Children's Cartoons". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  28. ^ Lowry, Brian (June 16, 2000). "A Firm From the Great White North Takes Off". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  29. ^ Block, Alex (August 26, 2010). "How HBO spent $200 million on The Pacific". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  30. ^ Lee, Wendy (March 21, 2024). "They made 'Game of Thrones' into blockbuster TV. Why they went full sci-fi for Netflix". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 21, 2024. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
  31. ^ Maddaus, Gene (April 8, 2024). "Amazon's 'Fallout' to Film Second Season in California With $25 Million Tax Credit". Variety. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  32. ^ Cerone, Daniel (March 1, 1992). "How 'Young Indiana' Travels on a Budget". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2024.
  33. ^ Atherton, Tony (July 29, 1999). "Tyler's awesome Amazon adventure". The Ottawa Citizen. p. 25. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "Untitled". The Sydney Morning Herald. March 25, 1991. p. 52. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ Wagner, Diane (December 21, 1986). "The $20 0 -Million Man : Marshal BraveStarr Isn't Just a Plaything, But a Marketing Mega-Concept. : A Look at the Serious Business of Toy Merchandising". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  36. ^ "Toys". The Philadelphia Inquirer. August 29, 1985. p. 65. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  37. ^ a b Michaelson, Judith (March 22, 1995). "KCET Shoots 'Puzzle' With Short Funds : Television: Children's series 'The Puzzle Place' is still short $2 million of its $6.5-million budget. Station executives hope underwriting, product licensing will make up deficit". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 9, 2024. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  38. ^ Andrews, Marke (September 16, 2004). "Film animation business takes off in Vancouver". Vancouver Sun. p. 83. Archived from the original on April 26, 2024. Retrieved April 26, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  39. ^ Hinman, Catherine (November 20, 1995). "Martial Arts Show Back at Universal". The Orlando Sentinel. p. 60. Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  40. ^ Miyakoshi, Masaaki (July 3, 1997). "Cartoon Caper". Sun-Sentinel. p. 49. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ "CinePix 3D Animation Cubix to Air on US TV This Month". Cinepix (in Korean). 2001. Archived from the original on July 20, 2001. Retrieved July 7, 2024.