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Last year the Idol Tour grossed $16.9 million (42 concerts, average attendance 9,026, average ticket price $44.50) There are 18 more concerts this year and I dare say, the average attendence should be over 10,000. I'm not sure what the average ticket price is this year ($38-$40 for the more numerous low tickets, $68-$75 for the fewer high tickets) but it is probably about $48. That would create a gross of $28,800,000. The venues keep 50% for all the support services and the "talent" gets the other half. From the talent share, the sound system, band, travel expenses, stage set up, management cut must be taken, usually leaving the actual performers for most concerts at about 25% of the gross. I got this info from Pollstar, THE authority on concert economics.
(The above was my estimate from a previous post on Aug 2. I can't figure out how to reference the original thread here, but pull up all my posts and go to about August 2 and you will see the thread about the fine if the idols discuss their pay.)
OK, we got a mid-tour report by Billboard as reported in USA today: through Aug 2 (23 concerts) the gross was $14.6 mil, attendence 265,000+.
Attendance: 691,260 Total Revnue: $38,087,000 Average Ticket Price $55
I was a good bit under on my estimates. So, I can't be perfect all the time.
Now that means 19 Media will get about $19 mil from which they have to pay the expenses of the tour as listed in the quote above, which for most tours is about 25% of the total revenue. Of course, no way are the idols going to split the 25% that the "talent" usually gets, but if they get to split even 10% (a figure previously reported in the media) of the gate, each will take home $380,000 (before Uncle Sam of course). In my original message, I figured that in spite of the huge profits of the tour going to 19 Media, 19 still may take their 30% (?) cut which would leave each Idol with about $266,000 to pay taxes on. Still, not bad for a group of beginners.
Of course this is all conjecture and guesswork. But you got to figure that because the success of this season is directly related to the Idols, 19 should (but who knows if they would) give them a pay raise from the $5000 per concert that Ruben reprortedly got.
Last edited by robert1848; 09-05-2006 at 11:31 AM.
I can pretty much guarantee you that none of them saw anything remotely close to this. They were paid a contracted price up front before the tour started. There is no percentage cut for them for the tour. Sorry to disappoint.
Oh don't get me wrong the numbers are interesting. Robert makes this comment:
Quote:
But you got to figure that because the success of this season is directly related to the Idols, 19 should (but who knows if they would) give them a pay raise
I think the prevailing argument is, the success of the Idols is directly related to being on the show and Idol made them stars therefore has already paid them (in a manner of speaking). Essentially Idol invested in them up front, taking chances on no names becoming somebody and drawing crowds, in return they make those no names potentially big names and are just recouping on their investment.
Fame doesn't come without a price. For most of the 10 finalist, the tour is the price they pay. To be honest, I was surprised they got anything at all, but they do and it's not much. Alot by some standards but wouldn't urge me to quit my day job.
It is sad how American Idol can take full advantage of the Idol contestants.I've figured they get paid,but as far as profits go their not getting much.What I believe is that being under the American Idol name means nothing.The big chunk of profits go to the producers,the judges,managment team,etc.The list goes on.
What a shame.
Ahhh. But should they? Like I said, one can argue that Idol put them on TV and at least in part, made them stars. Could they have achieved that on their own? Possibly. But they didn't, Idol helped them so who really owes who?
For instance:
We (19TV) agree to put you on tv and if you can sing make you a big star and maybe take you on tour. You (contestant) agree to go on tour if we make you a big star.
I have been involved with local theatre (Baltimore Area) for many years. It's common knowlege that if you intend to make any REAL money, get yourself a position in the Production end of Show Business. Whenever I see names like Goldie Hawn, Tom Hanks or Regis Philbin or Mel Gibson, etc.
credited for Production, I always remark "Smart move. That's where the REAL money is".
Oh sure, we always think that celebrities are paid huge amounts of money. That's true in some cases, but it's not the norm. As a rule, the folks on the bottom of the money-chain are the ones you see performing on stage.
That's Show Biz.
Good thoughts James. I really do agree with most of your thoughts.
There are several clues that they are making several hundred thousand for the tour, but certainly nothing substantial or even close to a fact, as I stated at the end of my post.
No doubt about the show making the stars. They have so much to be thankful for and Kellie has made no secret of the fact that she is VERY happy with how she has been treated and gives Idol all the credit.
The point I was trying to make is that there is something special about this year's group, and for these young performers to do what they have done and pull in over twice what the tour made last year, some of the credit must go to them.
If 19 really is giving them only $84,000 for the tour ($1400 X 60), then this is a very sad, sad situation. (Note: the $1400 comes from the year one contract where Kelly C. was paid that amount for the World Idol show.)
On the other hand, if that is what they made (and once again, even that amount is conjecture) that is certainly more than any of them have made in a year and they made it in three months.
I guess I give 19 credit for more fairness than they deserve.
