2 Million per Episode Studio 60 on the ‘Money’ Strip
While sitting in the Chiropractors office waiting to get cracked, I thumbed through a magazine. I stumbled across an article about the new show on NBC called ‘Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.’ I was immediately intreagued as I fell in love with the show from the very first episode and I began to read. The author began by talking about how the script was pitched to all the major networks and the author just sat back waiting for the highest offer. Can you guess what NBC pays per episode?
Well if you guess $2 million, you were right. He has a great contract for a minimum of 13 episodes with an exit agreement to pay a fine if they cancel before they reach episode 13. This is great news! NBC not only needed a good boost to lift ratings, but the show is a heavy hitter with quick banter and intelligent dialogue. But did anyone catch the references to the writters contract written into the script for the episode that aired Monday, November 20th?
It was incredible! He laid out his entire contract and the possible upside NBC will attain… not to mention the better ratings. Here is what happened. Danny and Jordan are arguing about having to fire 15 people on Danny’s staff due to the new deal they cut for a property in Makau.
Danny: Studio 60 doesn’t cost the network money Jordan. It makes the network money.
Jordan: I understand, I …
Danny: You wann know how much? Our license fee is 2 million per show. We’re clearing a $120,000 for a thirty second spot. We air 26 minutes of commercials. Now, 5 of those minutes are network promos and bumpers, 8 are local. That’s revenue, but we’ll only deal with the 13 minutes left over. 13 minutes of commercials at $120,000 for 30 seconds, times 22 shows minus the license fee, is a hard dollar profit. $24 million, 640 thousand dollars per season. So tell me again, why do we have to layoff 15 people?
It makes me wonder if there is anything in Sorkin’s contract about divulging profits of NBC. But what are they going to do? They need Sorkin. Even if they fired him, he still would get his early cancellation fee. So I ask you, who is working for who?
Follow Me (digitally you stalker)