Global programming price guide

The figures in this chart are the average prices paid by terrestrial stations in key territories for selected genres of U.S. programming. Drama prices are by the hour; sitcoms, docs/kids/arts are by the half-hour. Sums paid for feature films fluctuate dramatically according to their theatrical gross in the U.S. and/or in the territory in question. As for reality shows, pricing is all over the map. Variety has indicated the average price per episode for a finished reality show; the price paid for a format is typically between 5%-15% of the budget for the locally made version, and can be higher than the price paid for the finished imported show. In some markets both the finished show and the format are sold, sometimes to the same broadcaster. Amounts are in U.S. dollars.

Germany
Feature films ... $ 2.5 million
TV movies ... $ 200,000
Dramas ... $ 100,000
Sitcoms ... $ 50,000
Reality ... $ 35,000
Docs/Kids/Arts ... $ 20,000

United Kingdom
Feature films ... $ 2 million
TV movies ... $ 150,000
Dramas ... $ 120,000
Sitcoms ... $ 75,000
Reality ... $ 150,000
Docs/Kids/Arts ... $ 25,000

France
Feature films ... $ 1.5 million
TV movies ... $ 100,000
Dramas ... $ 75,000
Sitcoms ... $ 50,000
Reality ... $ 25,000
Docs/Kids/Arts ... $ 15,000

Italy
Feature films ... $ 1 million
TV movies ... $ 100,000
Dramas ... $ 50,000
Sitcoms ... $ 25,000
Reality ... $ 15,000
Docs/Kids/Arts ... $ 10,000

Spain
Feature films ... $ 1 million
TV movies ... $ 60,000
Dramas ... $ 40,000
Sitcoms ... $ 20,000
Reality ... $ 12,000
Docs/Kids/Arts ... $ 10,000

Netherlands
Feature films ... $ 150,000
TV movies ... $ 60,000
Dramas ... $ 50,000
Sitcoms ... $ 25,000
Reality ... $ 10,000
Docs/Kids/Arts ... $ 5,000

Scandinavia
Feature films ... $ 200,000
TV movies ... $ 35,000
Dramas ... $ 25,000
Sitcoms ... $ 15,000
Reality ... $ 10,000
Docs.Kids/Arts ... $ 5,000

Belgium
Feature films ... $ 100,000
TV movies ... $ 30,000
Dramas ... $ 20,000
Sitcoms ... $ 10,000
Reality ... $ 7,500
Docs/Kids/Arts ... $ 5,000

Austria
Feature films ... $ 50,000
TV movies ... $ 25,000
Dramas ... $ 20,000
Sitcoms ... $ 15,000
Reality ... $ 10,000
Docs/Kids/Arts ... $ 7,500

Poland
Feature films ... $ 75,000
TV movies ... $ 35,000
Dramas ... $ 30,000
Sitcoms ... $ 20,000
Reality ... $ 10,000
Docs ... $ 7,500

Czech Republic
Feature films ... $ 30,000
TV movies ... $ 15,000
Dramas ... $ 10,000
Sitcoms ... $ 5,000
Reality ... $ 4,000
Docs/Kids/Arts ... $ 2,000

Hungary
Feature films ... $ 25,000
TV movies ... $ 15,000
Dramas ... $ 10,000
Sitcoms ... $ 5,000
Reality ... $ 4,000
Docs/Kids/Arts ... $ 2,000

Canada
Feature films ... $ 150,000
TV movies ... $ 100,000
Dramas ... $ 50,000
Sitcoms ... $ 35,000
Reality ... $ 25,000
Docs ... $ 15,000

Japan
Feature films ... $ 1.5 million
TV movies ... $ 40,000
Dramas ... $ 25,000
Sitcoms ... $ 15,000
Reality ... $ 12,000
Docs/Kids/Arts ... $ 10,000

Australia
Feature films ... $ 125,000
TV movies ... $ 40,000
Dramas ... $ 30,000
Sitcoms ... $ 25,000
Reality ... $ 15,000
Docs.Kids/Arts ... $ 10,000

Mexico
Feature films ... $ 50,000
TV movies ... $ 15,000
Dramas ... $ 10,000
Sitcoms ... $ 7,500
Reality ... $ 5,000
Docs/Kids/Arts ... $ 3,000

Brazil
Feature films ... $ 60,000
TV movies ... $ 20,000
Dramas ... $ 15,000
Sitcoms ... $ 10,000
Reality ... $ 6,500
Docs/Kids/Arts ... $ 5,000