It's not only Hollywood that have the big bucks to spend on production these days. Due to streaming and new platforms, T.V. is now the new cinema and the public is benefitting from the hefty investments into these historical TV shows.
Have the most expensive series in television history won over audiences? We take a look at how much producers and streaming giants are spending on new and groundbreaking content. The question is: was it all worth the investment?
54 million dollars per episode
Directed by Peter Jackson, its first season had a budget of 465 million dollars. It paid off, becoming Amazon's most-watched series to date. Amazon has taken the top spot as well as the second spot on this list, but they had very different outcomes...
50 million dollars per episode
Starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, 'Citadel' has cost Amazon $300 million for the 6-episode first season alone, according to the Hollywood Reporter. And yet, it failed to make much of an impression on audiences for that price.
25 million dollars per episode
A superb production, with several high-profile stars, and the Marvel label not only raised the bill but also the quality of production.
25 million dollars per episode
When Disney launched its streaming service, it was clear that it was fighting to be the lead in the industry and are sparing no expense to get there.
25 million dollars per episode
Costing around 25 million dollars an episode. Disney produces yet another big budget Marvel series. Special effects and salaries played a part in the production cost to a series that received mixed reviews but was good fun nonetheless.
25 million dollars per episode
It's what Disney does to keep its stars happy, giving them similar budgets so there are no ego fights.
21.7 million dollars per episode
What raised the price of this masterpiece is that no special effects were used and a war was recreated with real visual effects.
20 million dollars per episode
It takes a big budget to have so many dragons flying around. But looking at the number of viewers, it was worth every penny!
16 million dollars per episode
The problem for Baz Luhrmann is that he almost doubled the initial budget and that caused Netflix to cancel the series. Now, it's in Marvel's hands.
15 million dollars per episode
As the cast's fame grew, their salaries increased, reaching historic figures.
15 million dollars per episode
Paying Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell, Julianna Margulies, and company, comes at a price. A very high price.
15 million dollars per episode
It is interesting to note that Disney Plus' best series costs half as much as the rest. But it's still an extraordinarily expensive production.
15 million dollars per episode
This dystopian fantasy featured, among others, Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista, at the height of their popularity. That certainly racks up the bill.
13 million dollars per episode
The production of the series is flawless and having Oscar stars costs money but the result has been magnificent for 5 seasons.
13 million dollars per episode
George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, Noah Wyle, and Anthony Edwards had a high cache that NBC was happy to pay. Legendary series.
12.5 million dollars per episode
Co-produced by Spielberg, and after more than 20 years, this miniseries is still in the top 5 best series ever. It was worth every penny paid for it.
12 million per episode
Having such a large ensemble cast means that pay rises drive up costs. But of course, it's one of Netflix's flagship series.
10 million per episode
HBO's futuristic production is a delight for the senses, thanks to a majestic production.
10 million dollars per episode
Paramount Plus brought computer games to life in this standalone action, adventure, and futuristic story about a 26th-century conflict between humanity and an alien threat known as the Covenant. Sci-fi costs.
10 million dollars per episode
The six main characters were paid up to a million dollars per episode, which explains how the sitcom's price tag skyrocketed.
10 million dollars per episode
It was a historic co-production, on every level. There were only two seasons but they were of a sensational standard and an exorbitant price tag.
9 million dollars per episode
The seven main characters were paid as much as $900,000 per episode. And this was only after the three main characters lowered their salaries to make them equal to the rest. They were a family.
9 million dollars per episode
A revolutionary and vindictive series that, yes, was very expensive because it had to film scenes in half the world. Its cancellation was a tough pill for the fandom to swallow.
