What the shows you're watching actually cost to make, per episode

Cost Per Episode: $15 million +
When “GoT” premiered in 2011, each episode was said to cost around the $6 million mark, but that number has now more than doubled for the upcoming 2018-2019 installment. Even though the eighth and final season will be its shortest (only six episodes), at $15 million per episode the show that shoots like a film will surely continue as one of HBO’s golden tickets.

Cost Per Episode: $8 million
The shift from season one to two will also see an increase in cost per episode, which is nothing too out of the ordinary in the production world. For season one, each episode rang in at $6 million, but thanks to a plotline that became an instant cult classic, the price per episode has been upped to $8 million each. We won’t be surprised to see that number go up again. Are you ready for October 27?

Cost Per Episode: $8 million +
“Westworld’s” pilot alone cost around $25 million to make so it’s no surprise the western/sci-fi/drama will keep with its high ticket TV-making, but to the tune of $8-$10 million per episode for season two. This season will introduce new worlds and theme parks and one of the anticipated realms is speculated to be that of the Samuraiworld.

Cost Per Episode: $5 million
With a handful of new actors and a focus on recovery instead of suicide, the second season of the controversial teen drama is poised to deliver more sensitive material to the masses. Netflix may be cashing in on some big period pieces, but it also knows just how devoted binge-watchers of modern shows are. “13 Reasons Why” was one of the most talked about shows in 2017.

Cost Per Episode: $6 million (approx.)
Let’s face it: people are still plenty interested in the OJ Simpson story even decades later. Many also enjoy looking back on key moments in history (you know where you were when you watched that Bronco chase). FX, the network that broadcasts the show, typically pays between $3.5 million to $4 million per episode for dramas, but clearly that budget was stretched because Ryan Murphy and his formidable cast are worth it.

Cost Per Episode: $10 million
Baz Lurhman went big for his hip-hop pushing drama set in the late 1970’s; it’s Netflix’s most expensive original series to date, with 12-episodes costing $120 million. It’s also one of the highest priced productions in Hollywood’s history, but unfortunately it failed to reach enough of an audience and was cancelled earlier this year after one season. There were a ton of issues surrounding the production too, and Variety reported that some writers even called it “The Shut Down” and now, well, go figure, it’s actually shut down.

Cost Per Episode: $10 million
As mentioned, Netflix loves its period pieces like “The Crown,” which has already snagged three Emmys including one for ‘Outstanding Drama Series’, after just one season. Its leading actress (Claire Foy), John Lithgow as Winston Churchill and the remarkable cinematography all contribute to its ongoing popularity. If you’re not yet into this regal presentation of history’s past, you still have time to get acquainted before season two unveils in December.

Cost Per Episode: $2 million
While most shows involve a 30-minute to 60-minute airtime slot, “Carpool Karoke” capitalizes on stars singing in cars for shorter spurts. Unlike the others on the list, “Carpool Karaoke” cashes in on the popularity of musicians and celebrities, which makes the $2 million price tag pretty understandable. Who doesn’t want to watch acts like Beyoncé or Foo Fighters jam out to their own tunes alongside jolly James Cordon?

Cost Per Episode: $6 million
The anthology series has such as loyal fanbase that regardless of whether it’s a bunch of circus freaks, a coven, or most recently, a cult of monsters, people eat the gore up and then tweet endlessly about it. The latest installment is a doozy so far and has all of us followers questioning: is this horror, satire or just twisted? This is why it works–we have no idea what’s coming, even though we kind of do.

Cost Per Episode: $4 million (approx.)
The mind-warping drama’s first season introduced audiences to a man that could be “insane” or could be a powerful tool; when he’s in the ‘right’ reality. Noah Howley’s brainchild does cater to the Marvel crowd, but he’s also made sure to deliver a story that stands alone even if one doesn’t live for “X-Men” references. The special effects are impressively created and choregraphed to make for visceral pandemonium that’s pure addiction. Howley also employed Andy Greenwald, a former TV critic (Spin, Washington Post) as one of the writers, which is kind of cool.

Cost Per Episode: $3 million (approx.)
Curently in its first season, “Kevin Probably Saves the World” is one of the few entries on this list that’s distributed through conventional TV outlets (ABC) rather than Netflix or HBO. Other newcomer shows with similar price tags include “Insecure” ($3.5 million, approx.) and the resurrected time-travel drama “Timeless” ($4.5 million). “Timeless” was briefly cancelled earlier this year, but will now see season numero deux.

Cost Per Episode: $8 million+
Translating a widely successfull and fan favourite book (two million copies sold and translated in over 20 languages) on the small screen is no easy feat, but Starz utilized its programming budget to do it. This “fan-focused strategy” has proved to be successful according to Forbes–book adaptations like “Outlander” have been a big bulk of the network’s momentum (five million viewers per episode last season). “Since [Chriz] Albrecht became CEO, Starz has gone from 17 million to 24.5 million subscribers,” Forbes noted. “Making it the second most distributed flagship premium network in the United States after HBO.” Other shows on Starz include “The White Princess” and 50-Cent’s “Power.” The rapper is said to be developing three new shows for the network, too.