The success of the Canadian mockumentary series Trailer Park Boys is undeniable. Created and directed by Mike Clattenburg, the show ran for 12 seasons and spawned several feature films, a Netflix series, and a full-blown touring show. Audiences have praised the show for its clever dialogue, memorable characters, and outrageous storylines. But what is the true financial cost of the show’s success? In this blog post, we’ll break down the economics of the beloved Trailer Park Boys franchise and answer the question: how much money did the show make?
The Show’s Origins and Budget
The Trailer Park Boys first aired on Showcase in 2001, and the show’s budget was a meager $600,000 CAD per season. This is in stark contrast to the budgets of most modern television shows, which can range from millions to tens of millions of dollars. Despite its shoestring budget, the show became a massive success. The series concluded in 2008 after 7 seasons, with the first two feature films, ‘The Big Dirty’ and ‘Countdown to Liquor Day’, released shortly thereafter.
Touring Show and Netflix Reboot
In 2014, the Trailer Park Boys embarked on their ‘Don’t Legalize it’ tour, selling out venues across the country. These live shows proved to be incredibly popular, and the boys would go on to tour multiple times over the next few years. In 2017, the show returned to Netflix for an 8th season and a 9th season was released in 2019.
Revenue Streams
The success of Trailer Park Boys comes from a variety of different revenue streams. The show has made money from ticket sales for the live shows, DVD and Blu-Ray sales, merchandise sales, syndication deals, and streaming rights. The show has also seen success in the gaming industry with the release of the ‘Trailer Park Boys: Greasy Money’ mobile game.
Ratings and Profitability
The show has seen incredible ratings throughout its run. In Canada, the show has been a consistent top performer for Showcase, often outperforming shows with much higher budgets. Internationally, the show has been incredibly popular with viewers, particularly in the US. The show has been a consistent performer on Netflix, and the 9th season was well-received by both fans and critics.
Estimated Earnings
It is difficult to estimate the exact amount of money that the show has earned over its run, as the shows’s budgets and contracts are confidential. However, it is safe to say that the Trailer Park Boys have made millions of dollars over the course of their career. Estimates suggest that the boys earned around $1 million CAD per season while the show was on Showcase, and received a significant boost when the show was picked up by Netflix.
How Did They Spend Their Money?
The exact spending habits of the Trailer Park Boys is unknown, but it is safe to assume that they have invested their money wisely. The actors have continued to work in the industry, and have used their popularity to open new avenues for success. For example, actor Robb Wells has become a successful author, while actor John Paul Tremblay has taken up producing and directing.
The Legacy of the Trailer Park Boys
The Trailer Park Boys have become a Canadian pop culture phenomenon, and their success has had a ripple effect in the Canadian entertainment industry. The show has been praised for its sharp humour and for showcasing Canadian talent, and has helped to raise the profile of other Canadian TV shows and films. The success of the show has also had an impact on the way that Canadian content is made and marketed, with an emphasis on low budget productions and creative storytelling.
Conclusion
The success of the Trailer Park Boys is undeniable. The show has earned millions of dollars over the course of its run and has influenced the Canadian entertainment industry in a positive way. The success of the show is a testament to the power of creativity and storytelling, and has shown that it is possible to achieve great success even with a limited budget. The show’s legacy will continue to be felt for years to come, and its success serves as a reminder that anything is possible.

I’m Kieran Walker, and I’m a Celebrity and Financial Expert. I live in Monaco, and I love helping people make the most of their money. Whether it’s through investments, or just making sure they’re getting the best deals on everything they buy, I want to help as many people as possible grow their wealth.
I’ve worked with some of the biggest names in the world when it comes to finance, and I’m always looking for new ways to help people save money. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that money can be a powerful tool – but only if you use it correctly.