HBO’s Most Expensive TV Shows Ever Made

HBO is the longest-running subscription tv service within the U.S. It has been energetic since its launch in 1972. Owned by Warner Bros. Discovery, HBO is understood for its diversified catalog of theatrically-released films and unique TV sequence, in addition to its made-for-TV films, documentaries, youngsters applications, and extra. Per Variety’s report in August 2022, Warner Bros. Discovery boasts a subscriber rely of 92.1 million worldwide (this consists of HBO, HBO Max, and Discovery+ mixed).

With the rise in recognition, availability, and entry of streaming companies, the movie and TV business has largely turned in the direction of streamer-friendly productions. This has resulted in a renewed give attention to, and subsequently the next allocation of funds in the direction of, unique films and TV exhibits out there solely to platform subscribers. Just as Netflix repeatedly churns out unique films and TV sequence, HBO is main the pack in content material. Here’s a take a look at HBO’s costliest TV exhibits ever made.

8/8 Vinyl (2016) — $7.5M Per Episode

Created by Mick Jagger, Martin Scorsese, Rich Cohen and Terence Winter, Vinyl is a interval drama TV sequence starring Bobby Cannavale as Richie Finestra within the main function. The present is about within the Seventies New York, stuffed with intercourse, medicine, and a brand new period of rock ‘n roll. Indeed, new music begins to emerge, and because the founding father of American Century Records, Richie should adapt to the brand new change when searching for recent expertise, so as to keep away from having his firm offered. Vinyl was meant to have multiple season, however HBO in the end canceled it after one season. We ponder whether the loss was value it, given how every episode value $7.5 million to make.

Related: Netflix’s 10 Most Expensive Original Series Ever Made

7/8 Rome (2005) — $9M Per Episode

Created by John Milius, William J. MacDonald, and Bruno Heller, Rome is a historic drama TV sequence. Set 1BC in Ancient Rome, it follows the occasions as the town adjustments from Republic to Empire, via the lenses of two troopers Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo. Most of Rome‘s characters are primarily based on precise historic figures. What’s extra, a lot of the 22 episodes, spanning over two seasons, have been shot on-location in Rome, Italy. Although the sequence was deliberate to be 5 seasons lengthy, attributable to excessive manufacturing prices of $9 million per episode, the final three seasons have been squeezed into the second.

6/8 Westworld (2016) — $10M Per Episode

Based on the 1973 movie of the identical title, Westworld is a dystopian science fiction, neo-Western TV sequence created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. The story is about in a technologically superior Wild West amusement park populated by android “hosts.” The park caters to high-paying visitors who can let their fantasies run wild whereas visiting, with none penalties additional on. Season 3 of Westworld expanded into the actual world of the twenty first Century, the place the lives of people are managed by synthetic intelligence. So far, the sequence has 4 seasons, with every episode costing $10 million to make. There are at present talks of a fifth and last season.

5/8 The Last of Us (2023) — $10M Per Episode

Based on the 2013 online game of the identical title, The Last of Us is an upcoming post-apocalyptic TV sequence and the primary online game sequence that HBO has ever produced. Starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey within the lead roles as Joel and Ellie, the plot follows a smuggler tasked with escorting teenager Ellie via the apocalyptic panorama of the United States. Per Looper, The Last of Us has made Canadian historical past as the most important film or TV manufacturing ever filmed within the nation, with every episode costing $10 million.

4/8 Band of Brothers (2001) — $12.5M Per Episode

Created by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks and primarily based on Stephen E. Ambrose’s 1992 non-fiction guide of the identical title, Band of Brothers is a war-drama miniseries. It dramatizes the historical past of “Easy” Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the a hundred and first Airborne Division, all primarily based on an precise interviews with the veterans. Most of the characters are primarily based on actual troopers of “Easy” Company, and it follows their journey from coaching to the participation in main European affairs, Japan’s capitulation, and the top of World War II. Though it value $12.5 million to make every episode, it was positively value it, because the miniseries gained each an Emmy and a Golden Globe Award.

Related: 15 Best HBO TV Shows of All Time, Ranked

3/8 Game of Thrones (2011-19) — $15M Per Episode

An adaptation of the guide A Song of Ice and Fire, a sequence of fantasy novels by George R. R. Martin, Game of Thrones is about on the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. Spanning over 73 episodes and eight seasons, the critically acclaimed sequence follows a big and various forged of characters who, in several methods, are both vying for The Iron Throne, survival, and peace, or attempting to defend themselves, their family members, and their individuals in opposition to those that want hurt. A high-stakes sport of warfare and politics, Game of Thrones has attracted a large following all through the years. Considering its wealthy manufacturing design and CGI components, it is no shock that every episode value $15 million to make.

2/8 The Pacific (2010) — $20M Per Episode

As a companion piece of types to the 2001 miniseries Band of Brothers, The Pacific can also be a warfare drama miniseries, this time specializing in the experiences of three Marines who have been in several regimes of the first Marine Division. It options three battles held within the Pacific, in addition to Basilone’s involvement within the Battle of Iwo Jima. In the identical method as Band of Brothers, The Pacific is predicated on precise memoirs of the troopers. This sequence upped its predecessor by $8 million, costing $20 million per episode to make.

1/8 House of the Dragon (2022) — $20M Per Episode

Tying with The Pacific, we’ve the prequel sequence to Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon. Created by George R. R. Martin and Ryan Condal for HBO, this fantasy sequence is about 200 years earlier than the occasions of Game of Thrones and depicts the start of the top of House Targaryen. Thanks to its excessive viewership and optimistic responses from the viewers and critics, it took solely days after the August 2022 premiere to resume the sequence for a second season. At $20 million an episode, and in its first season no much less, House of the Dragon tops the listing as HBO’s costliest TV present ever made.