This story first appeared in the October 04, issue of Variety. Those big stars are commanding bigger bucks: That kind of money used to be rare, even for lead actors on a first-year TV show.

But competitive pressures, from deep-pocketed upstarts like Netflix in particular, have pushed many programmers into backing up the Brinks truck before the cameras even roll.

And to keep up, even the more cost-conscious broadcast and basic cable networks are making exceptions to their usual pay ceilings. Dozens of agents, managers, and studio and network execs contacted for this story agreed to candidly address the touchy subject of actor salaries, but only on the condition that they could speak off the record.

Even premium cable rarely exceeded that: Related Small Screen, Big Bucks: Movie Stars Flock to TV for Huge Paydays. Producing fees, backend, and more are part of some of these deals. The migration of more top-tier talent to TV is generally a good thing for networks looking to make a splash. It allows showrunners to cast master thespians to perform their works, actors to see their paychecks rise, and viewers to feast on good TV. Production costs are going up because of talent costs.

[VIDEO] ‘Prison Break’ Revival — Wentworth Miller, Sarah Wayne Callies Weigh In | TVLine

Networks and studios will agree in order to land that talent, but it also means relying on blind faith that the actor is indeed the right fit.

Even at the streaming services, the fountain of riches dries up when it comes to this tier.

In a world of scripted series, more shows mean more jobs. People are grappling with that right now.

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How do you afford to live? Cable networks often have an month hold on stars, limiting their ability to get other jobs, although insiders say cable nets are growing a bit more lenient in allowing stars to book other gigs.

Nevertheless, attached talent lacks freedom.

An agent notes that when stars like Viola Davis require shorter seasons as part of their TV deal, it means fewer paychecks for the supporting players as well. Yet the gamble can also work against programmers: Yet that example is the exception to the headwinds that working actors usually face.

Related Highest-Paid TV Drama Stars.

On the flip side, with traditional syndication disappearing, at least one studio president lamented that performers are looking to renegotiate their deals sooner. Actors generally sign six-year contracts, and in success, look to up their pay around the fourth year — as the show heads into syndication. Adds a studio head: Related Highest-Paid TV Comedy Stars. Let it be great; people will find it. This place will be rediscovered — reinvented because of you. For many, the lure of creative freedom outweighs that treasure chest at the end of the syndication rainbow.

Some stars opt to take a reduced salary in exchange for working on a prestige project fronted by a producing superstar like Ryan Murphy. Limited-run series remain a draw for talent that wants to commit to only a year or two on a TV project. But he concedes that the TV business may be just beginning to absorb the impact of skyrocketing wages.

What does it do to the economics? You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Twitter account. You are commenting using your Facebook account.

Notify me of new comments via email. Notify me of new posts via email. Forget the on screen talent, imagine the financial repercussions amongst writers, voice actors, or below the line folks. There is only so much in a budget…and when your Star is taking half…that means smaller slices of the pie for everyone else.

What a thorough overview and wonderfully written article on a very real problem for actors like myself. Sadly, the celebrities knocked out a lot of incredibly talented people and have closed the doors for up and coming fabulous talent to even find work. And now you know HOW — — — they PULLED OFF the RED CHINA TREASON op — — in broad daylight. Then they have to give what at least 10 percent to agents….

I would think anything under and episode for headliner is fair. Cost of living alone. Agent to down to 2,,…big hit right there… maybe only once in their life chance…have to live on that the rest of their life pursuing other jobs…try going back to waiting tables…after that…. Interesting article — lots of good detail. Really raises many questions…I feel people will always pay for quality entertainment. With that said, if you pay the leads so much, will that lower the quality in other areas of the production?

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