LOS ANGELES (AP) — Coming in second on "American Idol"
may still be a path to superstardom, but it no longer offers guaranteed
paychecks worthy of the next pop idol or rock star.
Wednesday
night's runner-up, 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez, doesn't have a definite
shot at producing an album and could be paid as little as $30,000 in
advances for recording singles, according to the "Idol" contract she and
other Season 11 contestants signed earlier this year.
The
agreement appears to be the first time in "Idol's" history that
producers are not offering the show's runner-up an album deal that in
previous years came with a guaranteed advance of at least $175,000, an
Associated Press review of the Fox show's contracts reveals.
The
analysis covers eight of "Idol's" 11 seasons during which contracts
filed for contestants under the age of 18 were available. The contracts
were reviewed by judges in accordance with a California law that
requires at least 15 percent of a minor entertainer's earnings be set
aside for their benefit once they reach adulthood.
The reduced
royalty advance covers the period immediately following the show. In
addition to recording new music, the series' winners and finalists are
obligated to perform in a concert tour and lend their likeness to a Walt
Disney World Resort attraction in Florida.
If Sanchez is given an
album deal following the show, she will receive the same $175,000 bonus
that Lauren Alaina was paid after placing second in the show's 10th
season. But 19 Recordings Inc., which has the option to handle the
albums and recordings of Idol contestants for several years after they
appear on the show, has replaced a guaranteed album deal for the
runner-up with a staggered "Development Period" that requires less music
and pays out less in advances.
Sanchez could be paid as little as
$30,000 if she is asked to perform four single songs, or $60,000 if she
records an "EP" of between four and 10 songs.
Representatives for
19 Recordings Inc. and "American Idol" producer FremantleMedia declined
comment. They also have not disclosed which recording deal would be
offered to Sanchez.
"It makes sense. You can't continue to offer
the same sorts of rewards and incentives when the program was averaging
25 to 30 million (viewers), and (now) the finale is barely breaking 20
million," said Northwestern University assistant professor Max Dawson,
who teaches a course on reality television. Wednesday's finale was the
lowest-rated final show for "Idol" in its history.
"These
contracts don't pay off," he said, contrasting the long list of "Idol"
alumni who have been dropped by record labels with those who have
thriving careers. "It seems like the successes that people like Kelly
Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have had are the flukes."
He noted
that the recording industry has shifted toward single song sales in
recent years, and even established artists are struggling to sell full
albums. "I wouldn't be surprised, quite frankly, if this is the
direction they head with the winners," Dawson said.
Buyers
purchased nearly 1.3 billion single songs last year as opposed to 331
million albums, said Dave Bakula, Nielsen's senior vice president of
analytics for SoundScan. He noted that there have been some successful
"Idol" runners-up, but producers appear to be giving themselves more
flexibility with how they develop artists in different genres.
"Idol"
winner Phillip Phillips will receive the same $300,000 advance given to
last year's winner, Scotty McCreery, upon completion of his first
album, according to the contracts. Finalists who placed third and lower
could receive deals to record singles, EPs or full albums, with the
lowest advance amounting to $24,000 if they complete their commitment to
record up to four single songs.
Higher advances are paid if 19
Recordings agrees to produce more albums, with Phillips eligible to
receive up to $800,000 for a six-album deal.
The advances are paid and later deducted from the singer's song royalties.
"As the music industry is changing, it makes sense for 'Idol' to change as well," Dawson said.
Despite
the contract reductions, there are more opportunities for recent "Idol"
contestants to earn money than their predecessors. Phillips will be
paid $200,000 for his Disney attraction work and Sanchez will rake in
$50,000 for her appearances. Both are also set to get a cut of
merchandise profits.
No matter what recording deal Sanchez is
offered, she already has heavyweight Hollywood representation. In March,
a judge approved a deal in which she will be represented by Creative
Artists Agency for future television, personal appearance and other
employment deals.
This was written from : http://tv.yahoo.com/news/idol-moves-toward-lower-payouts-runners-165310140.html