A 10.30.11 N.Y. Times story by Michael Cieply states that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences “has taken in roughly $80 million a year from the Oscars, which account for perhaps 90 percent of its revenue, while spending about $30 million to produce the [Oscar telecast].” So the total revenue is around $88 or $89 million, and then you subtract $30 million to produce the show and you’re left with $58 or $59 million. Subtract the usual usuals (overhead, salaries, screenings, advertising) and you’re still looking at a lotta dough left over, and then the process repeats itself the next year and another $88 or $89 million rolls in. That’s a good business to be in.
