What does Top of Show mean?
Top of Show refers to the maximum pay rate established for a particular role or category of performer on a specific television production — the ceiling beyond which the production will not negotiate. Top of show rates are set by each production and typically align with the highest rate paid to any performer in a comparable role on that show. When an agent is told a role is ‘at top of show,’ it means the production has established a fixed rate it will not exceed, and negotiation for that specific role cannot go higher. The term is most commonly used in episodic television.
Example:The agent called to report that the network had offered the guest role at top of show — the maximum rate the production paid for that category of guest performer — which was a strong offer that she recommended accepting without further negotiation.
Example: When negotiating the child actor’s recurring role, the business affairs team explained that the rate offered was top of show for that performer category, meaning it matched what the production paid its most established recurring guest performers.
Did you know?
Top of show rates can vary enormously between productions. A top-of-show guest rate on a major network drama can be four or five times the SAG-AFTRA minimum for the same role, while a low-budget cable production might set its top of show much closer to minimum. Understanding where a show’s top of show sits relative to industry standards is part of what agents and managers are paid to know.
You can also find “Top of Show” and related terms in this category: Administrative and Financial.
