“Game of Thrones” is not only one of the most popular scripted series-to-date, but also one of the most expensive ever made. The show, which is an adaptation from the novel “A Song of Ice and Fire, started off with an average cost per episode at $6 million. The production costs – over several seasons – increased to a staggering $10 million per episode. With cost inflation, “Game of Thrones” viewership also increased and has maintained steady numbers. By Season 5, 8.11 million viewers tuned in for the finale. This solidified Game of Thrones as the No. 1 most watched subscription cable fantasy drama. In April 2016, Entertainment Weekly reported Season 6 cost estimate to be at $10 million. This is a $4 million increase from the 2012 budget. The famous Blackwater battle scene in Season Two alone saw an increased cost of $2 million which brought that single episode to $8 million. The producers had to practically beg (on one knee) HBO executives for the additional $2 million to ensure the scene was exactly as they envisioned. So, at 10 episodes at $10 million per episode, this totals $100 million. In comparison to other show budgets, “Game of Thrones” is very high. Shows like “Friends” saw a $10 million budget during the show’s final season. However, most the budget were spent for the star’s $1 million per episode paychecks. Not only are production, CGI, and sorts are responsible for budget increased, but also payroll. George Clooney, for example, clocked in $13 million an episode during his tenure on NBC’s “E.R..” At the end of the day, it is the end product that matters. And thus far, “Game of Thrones” expensive taste is visually magical.
