
Television has evolved into a medium capable of producing content that rivals the grandeur and spectacle of Hollywood blockbusters. In recent years, a growing number of TV shows have showcased production budgets that would make any film executive blush. Here are 15 of the priciest programs ever made for television.
“The Crown”

“The Crown” proves that recreating royal life doesn’t come cheap, with Netflix spending $13 million per episode. The show’s lavish budget goes into carefully reconstructing similar historical settings, from palaces to period-accurate street scenes. It’s the proper royal splurge that keeps viewers coming back for more regal drama.
“The Mandalorian”

For an astounding $15 million every episode, “The Mandalorian” delivers the splendor of “Star Wars” to the small screen. The millions allocated allows for movie-quality special effects. A good chunk of that money went into developing the groundbreaking “Volume” technology, which creates immersive digital backgrounds in real-time.
“Stranger Things”

The latest season of “Stranger Things” reportedly cost Netflix $30 million per episode. It grew from a surprise hit to a bank-breaking phenomenon. With each new season building progressively complex stage pieces and visual effects, their aspirations changed along with those of its young actors.
“The Pacific”

Storming onto the screens with a budget of $20 million per episode was “The Pacific.” They weren’t going to pinch pennies on this World War II epic, especially with Spielberg and Hanks involved. Filming on location in the Pacific added authenticity and price to the direction.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”

The undisputed champion of TV budgets is “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” with Amazon apparently shelling out a mind-boggling $58 million per episode. That’s right, each installment costs more than many feature films. Based on its popularity, it appears to be a successful investment!
“Westworld”

An episode of “Westworld” is about $10 million, and it reimagines the future. From the meticulously crafted Western town to ultramodern cityscapes, no expense is spared in making this mind-bending dream a reality. The star-studded cast, including Hollywood heavy-hitters like Anthony Hopkins and Ed Harris, also contributes to the steep per-episode value.
“The Morning Show”

Star power is expensive, as “The Morning Show” demonstrates. Apple TV+ spends about $15 million per episode owing to the presence of powerhouse celebs like Aniston and Witherspoon. But it’s not just the A-list cast that drives up the budget. The show recreates the high-pressure setting of morning television with impressive accuracy!
“See”

Producing a single episode of “See” reportedly costs around $15 million. The show’s uncommon premise requires an entirely reimagined world, all designed for a society without vision. Extensive battle choreography and action sequences done by actors impersonating blindness add to the difficulty and charges.
“Game of Thrones”

HBO’s “Game of Thrones” started modestly but ended up breathing financial fire. By the final season, one episode was rumored to be around $15 million. Throne’s increasing budget allowed for increasingly thrilling battle scenes, elaborate sets, and bigger and better dragons.
“The Witcher”

The fantasy series brings Andrzej Sapkowski’s books to the small screen with movie-quality production values at $10 million per show. Filming on location across Eastern Europe adds genuineness to the series’ fantasy land but also increases costs. It’s a gamble that paid off for Netflix, with “The Witcher” becoming one of their most-watched series.
“Marco Polo”

At $9 million every episode, “Marco Polo” explored new realms and levels of cost. Unfortunately, it was unable to attract an audience that matched its ambition. Despite the eye-popping visuals and rich historical detail, the program struggled to find footing and was canceled after two seasons.
“Sense8”

“Sense8” connected minds across the globe for an estimated $9 million per episode. The Wachowskis’ thought-provoking series was filmed in locations in several countries per episode, from Nairobi to Seoul to Mexico City. This globetrotting approach, while visually stunning and narratively unique, drove up expenses significantly.
“Foundation”

Money was not an issue for Apple TV+ as they fully intended to bring Isaac Asimov’s sweeping sci-fi epic “Foundation” to life. The crew created multiple worlds spanning centuries of story for $10 million. Its massive scale needed deep pockets for it to be realized on screen. It remains one of the most ambitious sci-fi series ever attempted on television.
“House of the Dragon”

Dragons are quite pricey to make, folks! “House of the Dragon” keeps the “Game of Thrones” fires burning at $20 million per episode. This prequel series maintains the high production standards of its predecessor, with no shortage of dragon action and political intrigue that all contribute to making Westeros feel alive again.
“Halo”

Adapting the iconic video game series required creating a believable futuristic realm, and they eventually did so for roughly $10 million per episode. Halo’s mix of practical and digital effects aims to satisfy both dedicated fans and sci-fi newcomers. Paramount+ planned to turn this beloved game franchise into a must-see TV event.