Part 5/11:
The financial aspects underscore the depth of the problem. Disney reportedly spent $180 million on The Acolyte to produce only eight episodes, averaging about $22.5 million per episode. When juxtaposed with House of the Dragon, whose first season cost approximately $200 million for 10 episodes—roughly $20 million per episode—the disparity becomes evident.
But the cost per episode only scratches the surface. When breaking down the cost per finished minute—a crucial metric for assessing value—the numbers become even more alarming. House of the Dragon costs about $340,000 per minute, a figure aligned with its high production quality, hour-long episodes, and critical acclaim.