Some budgets for early 1950s TV series

Matthew the Swordsman
Elite Member

@wolfswordsman
Posts: 10,995
Likes: 2,346

Some budgets for early 1950s TV series Jul 26, 2017 9:23:14 GMT

Quote

Post by Matthew the Swordsman on Jul 26, 2017 9:23:14 GMT

In the book The Forgotten Network, there is information on the budgets for a number of early 1950s TV series, mainly sourced from Variety magazine.

The budget per episode during 1951 for various series is listed, and includes the following:
"Cavalcade of Stars" - $15,000 ($139,178.98 adjusted for inflation)
"Toast of the Town" - $29,500 ($273,718.66 adjusted for inflation)
"Your Show of Shows" - $25,000 ($231,964.96 adjusted for inflation)
"Texaco Star Theater" - $45,000 ($417,536.93 adjusted for inflation)
"The Colgate Comedy Hour" - $40,000 ($371,143.94 adjusted for inflation)
"Rocky King, Detective" - $6000 ($55,671.59 adjusted for inflation. It's actually not a bad show based on four episodes I've seen, though the sets are cheap looking)
"The Plainclothesman" - $5000 ($46,392.99 adjusted for inflation. Despite its low-budget, it was apparently a good show)
"The Fred Waring Show" - $35,000 ($324,750.95 adjusted for inflation)
"Philco TV Playhouse"/"Goodyear TV Playhouse" - $25,000

Interesting that variety shows could cost more than dramatic series.

Lower budgets than today, although to be honest, I suspect much of the program cost these days owes to paying the over-priced cast than the actual production cost of the program....

Last Edit: Jul 26, 2017 9:25:49 GMT by Matthew the Swordsman

Progress the Ogress.

bluerisk
Senior Member

Fuji Yama Night Climb Survivor

@bluerisk
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 4,821

Some budgets for early 1950s TV series Jul 27, 2017 21:29:09 GMT

Quote

Post by bluerisk on Jul 27, 2017 21:29:09 GMT

Very interesting, but I think that new technologies and other "demands/standards" have their parts too.

CGI makes many movies or shows look much better, but it also very expensive.

Game of Thrones has a huge budget, but even they have to make compromises: the giant or the direwolf...hence the wolf had to bite the dust for it would have been too expensive to have both.

Also far more extras, sets, exteriors and even different locations, and not only within a country but on a global scale.
Game of Thrones is shoot on three continents as far as I know.

Lost had also many shoots around the world or they worked, for instance, with a real size model of a aeroplane when they shoot the crash side scene. I think it was not only a model but real parts of a plane.

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.

Matthew the Swordsman
Elite Member

@wolfswordsman
Posts: 10,995
Likes: 2,346

Some budgets for early 1950s TV series Jul 28, 2017 4:22:51 GMT

Quote

Post by Matthew the Swordsman on Jul 28, 2017 4:22:51 GMT

Jul 27, 2017 21:29:09 GMT bluerisk said:

Very interesting, but I think that new technologies and other "demands/standards" have their parts too.

CGI makes many movies or shows look much better, but it also very expensive.

Game of Thrones has a huge budget, but even they have to make compromises: the giant or the direwolf...hence the wolf had to bite the dust for it would have been too expensive to have both.

Also far more extras, sets, exteriors and even different locations, and not only within a country but on a global scale.
Game of Thrones is shoot on three continents as far as I know.

Lost had also many shoots around the world or they worked, for instance, with a real size model of a aeroplane when they shoot the crash side scene. I think it was not only a model but real parts of a plane.

Yeah, I know that, but I still feel a lot of actors these days are overpaid.

Progress the Ogress.

bluerisk
Senior Member

Fuji Yama Night Climb Survivor

@bluerisk
Posts: 9,293
Likes: 4,821

Some budgets for early 1950s TV series Jul 28, 2017 10:27:30 GMT

Quote

Post by bluerisk on Jul 28, 2017 10:27:30 GMT

Jul 28, 2017 4:22:51 GMT Matthew the Swordsman said:

Jul 27, 2017 21:29:09 GMT bluerisk said:

Very interesting, but I think that new technologies and other "demands/standards" have their parts too.

CGI makes many movies or shows look much better, but it also very expensive.

Game of Thrones has a huge budget, but even they have to make compromises: the giant or the direwolf...hence the wolf had to bite the dust for it would have been too expensive to have both.

Also far more extras, sets, exteriors and even different locations, and not only within a country but on a global scale.
Game of Thrones is shoot on three continents as far as I know.

Lost had also many shoots around the world or they worked, for instance, with a real size model of a aeroplane when they shoot the crash side scene. I think it was not only a model but real parts of a plane.

Yeah, I know that, but I still feel a lot of actors these days are overpaid.

Compared to what a blue collar or even white collar middle clase earner makes - absolutely. In terms what the 1% (Wall Street Bankers, Bezos) and other celebs make...I don't know. Some franchises and movies are turning into a billion or more. And if an actors carries it...I watched and bought the Hunger Games movies or X-men Franchise because of Lawrence (Turner and Fassbender have also their part).
But many actors get the money althrough they don't carry the movie...at times you even watch one despite some actors.

Mila Kunis is in it? Then I won't waste my time.

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.