#7: The Cost Per Episode Kept Climbing With Every Season
Early seasons of Three’s Company were produced relatively cheaply, especially compared to hour-long dramas. But as the show became a guaranteed hit, the cost per episode rose steadily. Higher salaries, longer rehearsals, and more elaborate physical comedy all pushed the budget upward by the early 1980s.
Even so, the show remained cost-effective for ABC. Multi-camera sitcoms were still far cheaper than prestige dramas, and Three’s Company delivered elite ratings at a manageable price. Rising costs weren’t a warning sign — they were proof the series had matured into a reliable machine that printed money every week.