05.11.2026 21:40
In the savings plan launched to reduce costs in the television industry, attention has turned to actors' fees. It has been claimed that after the channels' demand for a 25 percent reduction, producers have also put on the agenda parting ways with actors who do not accept a reduction in their fees. It is stated that in the new period, actors demanding high fees may not be able to find a place in productions.
The decline in advertising revenues in the television industry has brought a new cost crisis to the world of TV series. While channels are asking production companies for a 25 percent discount, producers have proposed reducing episode durations from 140 minutes to 110 minutes and eliminating second units. Not working with actors who refuse to accept pay cuts has also come onto the agenda.
THE DROP IN ADVERTISING REVENUES HAS DEEPENED THE CRISIS
Economic difficulties in the television industry have pushed producers and broadcasters to take new measures. According to a report by Birsen Altuntaş, after October saw the lowest advertising revenue in the last 30 years, channel representatives and producers came together to seek solutions.
At the meeting, television channels requested a 25 percent discount from production companies in order to reduce costs in TV series productions, one of their most important expense items.
EPISODE DURATIONS WILL BE REDUCED TO 110 MINUTES
In response to the channels' discount request, producers also presented their proposals aimed at reducing costs. Reorganizing the durations of series whose per-episode costs range between 27 million and 40 million lira came onto the agenda.
Within this scope, it was proposed that episode durations, which reach up to 140 minutes, be fixed at 110 minutes. In this way, the aim is to complete episodes without the need for a final advertising break and to reduce filming costs.
SECOND UNITS WILL BE ELIMINATED
If the durations are shortened, it is planned that second units, which work to ensure series are completed on time, will no longer be employed. In this way, the aim is to achieve savings in on-set personnel and filming expenses.
THERE WILL BE NO WORKING WITH ACTORS WHO DO NOT REDUCE THEIR FEES
Steps aimed at reducing costs are expected to also cover actors' fees. According to the report, it is planned that actors' fees, which reach up to 5 million lira per episode including additional payments, will no longer be covered.
Not working with actors who refuse to accept cuts in their fees in the new period is also on the agenda. Thus, it is expected that not only production budgets but also actors' fees will be reshaped in the television industry.
After this development, how actors who earn millions of lira per episode will respond to the fee reduction request and whether they will take part in productions in the new period has become a matter of curiosity.