Lesley Goldberg, the former TV editor of The Hollywood Reporter, joins to dissect the financial frenzy of costly showrunner deals during the peak TV era. They delve into staggering nine-figure contracts that yielded no new shows, analyzing which deals hit the mark and which fizzled out. The conversation includes a look at high-stakes agreements, such as the $250 million deal with Bad Robot, and how different release strategies impact viewership. Tune in for insights on navigating creative control and the dynamics of TV's competitive landscape!
The podcast highlights the mixed results of expensive showrunner deals, emphasizing the need for studios to analyze return on investment carefully.
Successful creators like Shonda Rhimes and Taylor Sheridan exemplify how strategic partnerships can lead to significant revenue-driven franchises despite market downturns.
Deep dives
The Biggest Hollywood Heist
In 2014, a group of hackers executed a massive cyberattack on Sony Pictures, resulting in the release of confidential documents. This incident was not just a breach of security but also led to significant repercussions, affecting countless lives and reshaping the landscape of Hollywood. The situation escalated to the point of creating an international crisis, highlighting the vulnerabilities of even major corporations in the face of cyber warfare. The hack serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing threats posed by hackers and the consequences that such breaches can have on industries and individuals alike.
The Value and Impact of Overall Deals
Overall deals in television, where studios secure exclusive contracts with writers and producers for a set period, have surged in popularity during the peak TV era. These deals provided financial stability to creators, with some top writers receiving lucrative offers that reached hundreds of millions. However, the recent downturn in the streaming market has prompted a reassessment of these arrangements, as studios analyze the return on investment from these sizable expenditures. The current landscape poses questions about the sustainability of such deals and whether past success guarantees future outcomes.
The Success Stories and Failures of Writers
Among the most notable deals during the peak TV era was Shonda Rhimes' partnership with Netflix, which produced the hit series 'Bridgerton.' This show exemplified what platforms hope to achieve with big-money deals—massive global hits that can generate merchandise and live events. Conversely, many high-profile creators, such as Kenya Barris and JJ Abrams, struggled to deliver the blockbuster hits expected from their lucrative contracts. The distinction between big financial backing and audience appeal raises critical conversations about the evolving expectations of creators and the platforms that finance them.
Assessing Value: Winners and Whispers
As the scrutiny on overall deals intensifies, some creators are emerging as clear winners in the evolving media landscape. Taylor Sheridan and Dick Wolf stand out for their ability to generate not just hits, but franchises that drive viewership and revenue for the networks. In contrast, high-profile creators like Ryan Murphy saw mixed results, with some projects succeeding while others struggled to find an audience. This juxtaposition underscores the need for studios to be strategic not only in signing talent but also in evaluating long-term partnerships that yield consistent success.
Matt is joined by Lesley Goldberg, former TV editor of The Hollywood Reporter, to look at the most costly showrunner deals of the peak TV era and determine which were the best and worst deals for the respective studios. They discuss the nine-figure deals that led to zero new shows, and the biggest underperformers of Hollywood’s hyperinflated peak TV era (02:44).
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