'CSI' Production Company Expects Bonuses

[Brett Ferino]

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Crime is finally beginning to pay for Alliance Atlantis, a Toronto-based production company. Actually, crime investigation is beginning to pay. More specifically, crime scene investigation. The company behind CBS' two-headed forensic monster "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" and "CSI: Miami" announced on Monday (June 2) that a system of bonus payments will kick in over the next several seasons depending on the performance of "CSI."

Most of those incentives would appear to be safely within reach for a show which ranked as television's most popular, averaging a 16.3 rating/25 share, this past season.

The most easily attainable bonus comes if "CSI" ranks in the Nielsen Top 30 next year. Barring an impressive collapse in its fourth season, all production costs from the fifth season on will be assumed by CBS and CBS Productions. Alliance Atlantis will also receive a payment of between $100,000 and $600,000 for each episode from the fifth season on, depending on the show's placement in the Nielsen ratings.

Those bonus payments relate to production deficits from the show's first four seasons. Should "CSI" remain in the Top 10 next season, all of its production deficits from the first four seasons will be repaid by CBS.

Beyond the success of the "CSI" programs, Alliance Atlantis intends to shift from production to broadcasting.