CHAPTER ELEVEN:
MEGA BUCKS FOR DAVE
Of the many offers that
Dave received during his shopping days, one particular
offer was very special to Dave.
Charles Kuralt, an extremely well known and popular news
anchor at the time with CBS, was the main attraction/star
of a video that was made in Dave's honor. The video
explained the solid history of CBS. CBS was not a
fly-by-night station, but rather - it was a Network which
was well established.
In addition, CBS was willing to offer Dave 11:30.
CBS was willing to give David full ownership of his show,
and he would own the 12:30-1:30 spot as well.
Mike Ovitz forced NBC to soften on the negotiating
contract. Now that NBC wanted Dave as well, they would
have a better chance of retaining Dave if they were
flexible with his negotiating contract. In return, Dave
decided that we would entertain further offers from NBC.
HERE ARE SOME OF THE OFFERS THAT MIKE RECEIVED REGARDING
THE LATE NIGHT WITH DAVID LETTERMAN SHOW:
FOX: GUARANTEED SALARY $12 MILLION A
YEAR, A $3 MILL A YEAR BONUS FOR GOOD RATINGS (3 YEAR
CONTRACT WITH UP TO $10 MILL IN BONUSES FOR GOOD
PERFORMANCES) A 3 YEAR LICENSE FEE OF $84 MILL, PLUS $7.2
MILL FOR PRIME TIME.
CBS: 11:30 SHOW, 3-YEAR $12.5 MILL/YEAR
SALARY, HIS SALARY COULD REACH $14.5 MILL A YEAR IF
RATINGS/ DEMOGRAPHICS WERE GOOD, 3-YEAR $82 MILLION
DOLLAR BUDGET, $7.2 MILL LICENSE FEE FOR PRIME TIME
SPECIALS- OWNERSHIP OF HIS SHOW AND THE 12:30-1:30 SHOW.
$50 MILLION BONUS FOR DAVE IF HE DID NOT GET AN 11:30
SPOT.
VIACOM: $20 MILL/YEAR SALARY, 70%
PROFITS OF THE SHOW
WARNER TELEPICTURES: $8.3 MILL/YEAR
SALARY -$109 MILLION TOTAL GUARANTEED FOR 3 YEARS
ABC: 12:00 SHOW - DAVE WANTED 11:30
DISNEY: $6.5 MILLION/YEAR $53 MILLION
TWO-YEAR GUARANTEE
The only offer not in was NBC. NBC was waiting to see
what other offers poured in. This way, they knew what
they were dealing with. Bob Wright, President of NBC
wanted Dave to stay at NBC -and he was willing to go that
extra mile to retain him.
|
|
