How do game shows get all this money to giveaway?
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TLDR: They sell ads. The commercials played during the show pays for everything plus profit.
Compared to the cost of filming the show, the facilities, and paying the staff the prize money is fairly negligible.
Contestants aren’t paid by the appearance, only if they win a prize which reduces costs.
Drew Carey reportedly makes anywhere from $9 to $12.5 million per year hosting The Price is Right.
The total value of all prizes in a given in a year on Price is Right is between 10 and 15 million, while the Average winnings per episode is $76,920 (as per a quick Google).
Many of the prizes are donated to the shows as part of the advertising budget of the manufacturer.
For cash prize shows like Who Wants to be a Millionaire and Deal or No Deal, the prizes don’t pay out the maximum every episode. The advertising for the shows pays for everything, prize money and salaries alike.
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