The Kardashians have been a mainstay on E! for over a decade now and in that time the family has raked in quite a few dollars, not just from the show but from other business ventures as well. Still, the last two deals to allow Keeping up with the Kardashians to remain on air have been well-documented as massive contracts, and if a new rumor holds true, the family wants even more money for the next round.
A new report indicates the family might be asking for as much as $300 million for the next Keeping up with the Kardashians contract. Given the last deal was only for five years and $150 million, the hope and expectation seems to be for literally double the amount that was nabbed last time, although the length of the new contract isn’t specified.
Related: How Much Are The Kardashians Paid For Keeping Up With The Kardashians
It should be noted that the number Radar Online is referring to is not confirmed either by the network or any of the Kardashian/ Jenner clan. However, the outlet does say that the fact Kylie and Kendall Jenner have blown up in their respective businesses (particularly Kylie’s makeup line and Kendall’s modeling career), the fact Rob Kardashian is back on the show more regularly, and the fact that Kanye West is more into appearing on Keeping up with the Kardashians are all reasons the family is requesting more money this next time around.
Finally, this rumor gets even more specific, mentioning the last time the cast re-upped there were far fewer kids in the picture. Kourtney’s kids with Scott Disick will still be around, while Kim has welcomed a few additional kids, Chicago in 2018 and Psalm in 2019, since the last contract. Kylie and Khloe have newer babies at home as well and they’ll allegedly be included in the new show’s budget, as well.
In the world of television, it’s actually pretty common for show’s budgets to balloon over time. Actors and actresses typically get paid more as programs get longer in the tooth, and the same holds true for the rest of the longtime staff on TV shows.
However, reality TV programs are a bit of a different beast, given they aren't super costly to produce in general. Still, it’s clear the Kardashians and Keeping Up with the Kardashians are popular. In fact, the Season 16 finale, which addressed Tristan Thompson’s betrayal of Khloe Kardashian, was the second-highest rated program on cable on the night it aired, losing out to only 90-Day Fiance’s June 30th episode.
It was the most-watched episode of the show in three years, but given that major storyline has played out on the show now, it’s unclear if that ratings high will be the same when the show returns.
Therefore, whether or not that will translate to E! forking out a whopping $300 million remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, while this deal is reportedly being worked out, momager Kris Jenner is relaxing on vacation with her boyfriend Corey Gamble.
All in all, none of these numbers are confirmed and are all in the rumor stage at this point. Of course, Keeping up with the Kardashians has already been renewed for Season 17 and will be back in September, but the family is only signed on with E! through 2020 right now.
We’ll have to wait and see how the deal plays out, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted regarding whatever number both the family and the network agree on.
