U.S. networks and platforms spend more than $3 billion each year on documentary and unscripted programs.


Television Networks and streaming services such as Netflix buy thousands of hours of documentaries, and spend billions on them each year. 

What exactly do they pay and how do they determine payment terms?

Introducing Sweet Spots 2021: Production Cost Benchmarks For 32 U.S. Factual Networks + Netflix. 

This exclusive guide includes data & financials gathered from dozens of top executives, distributors and producers to create a unique source of proprietary information about television budgets, commissioning processes and programming trends.


Get Licensing Values, Rates and Terms for 32 Networks + Netflix!

Discovery Channel, TLC, Netflix, Animal Planet, ID, Science, Motor Trend, OWN, History, A&E, fyi, VICELAND, Nat Geo Channel, Nat Geo Wild, truTV, mtv, WE tv, Bravo, SyFy, Oxygen, Sundance Channel, Ovation, Smithsonian Channel, HBO Documentaries and more

What's Inside:

Production cost benchmarks for 32 U.S. factual networks including Netflix (Downloadable PDF Guide/Report - Updated Quarterly)

  • Network Budgets (What They Pay): High, Sweet Spot, Low

  • What kind of content each network is looking for (dozens of examples and ideas)

  • Key contacts: Who to pitch?

  • Viewing benchmarks: Ratings. Target demos. How many are watching?

  • Recent green lights and promotions

  • Producers who are working with the networks (these are potential partners for YOUR project)

  • What kind of deals are being made: Producer equity? Or Work-for-hire

  • Analysis, including mini-studies of the commissioning process for certain channels

  • Learn if your commissioning team is paying more or less than your competition

  • Tables ready for import into your presentations

About Peter Hamilton Consultants, Inc:

Documentary Business Peter Hamilton

Peter Hamilton is renowned media strategist who develops and implements television content strategies for leading media companies, governments and non-profits. He is a former executive with CBS International, and for 30+ years has led the New York-based Peter Hamilton Consultants Inc. His network clients have included: Discovery Inc, A+E Networks, Smithsonian Networks, CBS, NBC, Nat Geo Channel, BBC, CBC Canada, ABC Australia and many others. Mr. Hamilton has worked extensively with NGO's and governments to successfully develop their factual television sectors. These clients include Carnegie Foundation, Enterprise Ireland, Singapore's IMDA, South Africa's dti and Screen Australia. Peter is an executive producer and development executive, including on projects for BBC and Smithsonian with Bill Gates, for BBC with David Attenborough, and PBS's Nature strand. Peter recently executive produced “Season of the Osprey,” a PBS Nature coproduction now reaching audiences in 30 countries.

Production Cost Benchmarks for 32 U.S. Factual Networks & Netflix

Learn what the top channels pay for original programs, documentaries, specials and reality series.

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Sweet Spots 2021:
TV Rates & Financials

by Peter Hamilton Consultants, Inc

Go behind-the-scenes with this exclusive in-depth guide and learn what 32 U.S. factual networks pay for original programs, documentaries, specials and reality series. In addition get detailed insight on programming trends, commissioning processes, key contacts and more...
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Sweet Spots 2021

"Peter Hamilton's reports capture his brilliant strategic analysis of the always-changing documentary business."


By: Tom Jennings - CEO, 1895 Films (2020 PGA Producer of the Year, Peabody and Emmys.)

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