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Post by topbilled on Jan 17, 2023 15:49:21 GMT
Back when people used myspace, I remember checking Ben Mankiewicz's page on myspace. Members would proudly list their annual incomes. This was back in 2009 after I had started watching TCM. He was just the weekend host at that time...and he listed himself as making $200,000 per year. We can only imagine what his salary jumped up to after Robert died, when he became the permanent weeknight host.
Now they have all those other hosts who are each probably making $200,000 a year themselves.
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Post by Lucky Dan on Jan 17, 2023 15:52:04 GMT
I also read that same article--and that is somewhat comforting. And you would think that TCM doesn't exactly have a ton of overhead costs because they own the vast majority of the films they show.
(TCM manager Pola Changnon) has grown used to the need to justify TCM, which initially grew out of Ted Turner’s acquisition of MGM’s library. Now, TCM programming largely stems from licensed material from other sources.
So.
I don't have cable so I don't see TCM often. If it starts streaming as a subcategory of HBO Max, I will be able to tune in, and since Mr. O is gone and I was never a fan of the other personalities, I won't miss the wraparounds.
In any case those movies aren't going anywhere, even if TCM employees might be.
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Post by Lucky Dan on Jan 17, 2023 16:49:08 GMT
Back when people used myspace, I remember checking Ben Mankiewicz's page on myspace. Members would proudly list their annual incomes. This was back in 2009 after I had started watching TCM. He was just the weekend host at that time...and he listed himself as making $200,000 per year. We can only imagine what his salary jumped up to after Robert died, when he became the permanent weeknight host.
Now they have all those other hosts who are each probably making $200,000 a year themselves.
And Ben getting $200k? That. Is obscene.
According to the inflation calculator, "$200,000 in 2009 is equivalent in purchasing power to about $276,686.07 today."
And from what I read on the old boards, the background information read by the hosts is often inaccurate. Little value is added there. |
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Post by jamesjazzguitar on Jan 17, 2023 17:07:46 GMT
I also read that same article--and that is somewhat comforting. And you would think that TCM doesn't exactly have a ton of overhead costs because they own the vast majority of the films they show. So, what exactly are the expenses for TCM? Presumably, paying 5 hosts to do the job that one man, Robert Osborne, used to do, doesn't seem the most cost effective. At this point, I think Ben's job is secure, as he is now by far the most senior host, with about 20 years of experience. The others, not so sure. For legal reasons TCM still has to pay their parent company a fair-market-price for the mostly MGM, WB, and RKO films the parent company has the rights too. As for hosts; if TCM had to remove all the host and other types of non-film-leasing expenses, and only show films, I would be fine with that if it helped ensured TCM remained a non-commercial network. Also if TCM had to have sponsors that got time between films (like Create-TV does and other public networks), I would be fine with that as well. |
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Post by cineclassics on Jan 17, 2023 17:32:00 GMT
I also read that same article--and that is somewhat comforting. And you would think that TCM doesn't exactly have a ton of overhead costs because they own the vast majority of the films they show. So, what exactly are the expenses for TCM? Presumably, paying 5 hosts to do the job that one man, Robert Osborne, used to do, doesn't seem the most cost effective. At this point, I think Ben's job is secure, as he is now by far the most senior host, with about 20 years of experience. The others, not so sure. For legal reasons TCM still has to pay their parent company a fair-market-price for the mostly MGM, WB, and RKO films the parent company has the rights too. As for hosts; if TCM had to remove all the host and other types of non-film-leasing expenses, and only show films, I would be fine with that if it helped ensured TCM remained a non-commercial network. Also if TCM had to have sponsors that got time between films (like Create-TV does and other public networks), I would be fine with that as well. I agree, as long as TCM survives. But also, the network has been in existence for nearly 30 years, meaning they have 30 years worth of intros/outros to provide for films the network has aired. If the decision was made to reduce or eliminate the hosts, TCM could recycle 30 years worth of intros/outros if needed and that valuable information is still shared with the audience. |
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Post by dianedebuda on Jan 18, 2023 15:17:23 GMT
I agree, as long as TCM survives. But also, the network has been in existence for nearly 30 years, meaning they have 30 years worth of intros/outros to provide for films the network has aired. If the decision was made to reduce or eliminate the hosts, TCM could recycle 30 years worth of intros/outros if needed and that valuable information is still shared with the audience. |
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Post by BingFan on Jan 18, 2023 22:02:36 GMT
Back when people used myspace, I remember checking Ben Mankiewicz's page on myspace. Members would proudly list their annual incomes. This was back in 2009 after I had started watching TCM. He was just the weekend host at that time...and he listed himself as making $200,000 per year. We can only imagine what his salary jumped up to after Robert died, when he became the permanent weeknight host.
Now they have all those other hosts who are each probably making $200,000 a year themselves.
Either way, Ben was making a pretty good amount of money, but the figure surprises me less if it includes other income sources in addition to TCM. |
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Post by topbilled on Jan 19, 2023 2:25:24 GMT
Back when people used myspace, I remember checking Ben Mankiewicz's page on myspace. Members would proudly list their annual incomes. This was back in 2009 after I had started watching TCM. He was just the weekend host at that time...and he listed himself as making $200,000 per year. We can only imagine what his salary jumped up to after Robert died, when he became the permanent weeknight host.
Now they have all those other hosts who are each probably making $200,000 a year themselves.
Either way, Ben was making a pretty good amount of money, but the figure surprises me less if it includes other income sources in addition to TCM. |
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