Count’s Kustoms, the Las Vegas-based customization shop featured on the History Channel’s Counting Cars, generates an estimated $50,000 to $75,000 per episode, depending on viewership, advertising rates, and production costs. This figure represents the revenue brought in by the show itself and doesn’t account for the shop’s independent income from custom builds and merchandise.
Deep Dive into Count’s Kustoms’ Revenue Streams
Determining the precise earnings of Count’s Kustoms per episode of Counting Cars requires analyzing various revenue streams connected to the show and the business itself. These include:
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Television Revenue: This is the most direct source. History Channel pays Leftfield Pictures (the production company behind Counting Cars) for each episode produced. While the exact amount is confidential, industry experts estimate a range of $150,000 to $300,000 per episode for similar shows on comparable networks. Count’s Kustoms receives a portion of this payment, calculated through their contract with Leftfield Pictures. Their percentage is based on factors such as their involvement in the show’s development, their star power (Danny “The Count” Koker), and the use of their shop as the primary filming location.
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Advertising Revenue: Counting Cars generates significant advertising revenue for History Channel. The network sells commercial slots during the show, and the price of these slots is directly related to the show’s ratings and viewership. While Count’s Kustoms doesn’t directly profit from advertising, a popular show increases its negotiation power for future contracts.
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Merchandise Sales: The show’s popularity fuels the sale of merchandise, including T-shirts, hats, posters, and even replica parts. While the details of these sales are not public, a portion of the revenue likely goes to Count’s Kustoms, contributing to their overall earnings.
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Shop Business (Unaffected by the Show): It’s crucial to remember that Count’s Kustoms was a functioning business before Counting Cars and remains so independently. The show significantly boosted its profile, attracting more customers willing to pay premium prices for custom work. However, this income stream is separate from the show’s direct earnings.
The Impact of Show Popularity on Business Revenue
The Counting Cars television show has undoubtedly had a significant impact on the overall success of the Count’s Kustoms business.
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Increased Brand Recognition: The show’s exposure has made Count’s Kustoms a household name in the automotive world. This recognition translates directly into more inquiries and custom build requests.
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Premium Pricing: Customers are often willing to pay more for a custom build from a shop featured on television. The “celebrity factor” allows Count’s Kustoms to command higher prices for their services.
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Tourism: The shop itself has become a tourist destination, drawing fans from around the world who want to see the cars, meet the crew, and purchase merchandise.
Count’s Kustoms’ FAQs: Unveiling the Details
Here are some frequently asked questions about the earnings and financial aspects of Count’s Kustoms and Counting Cars:
1. How much does Danny “The Count” Koker make per episode?
While Danny Koker’s exact salary is undisclosed, estimates place it in the $30,000 to $50,000 per episode range, based on his role as the star of the show, his business ownership, and typical reality TV star salaries.
2. Does the Counting Cars cast get paid per build?
No, the cast members are primarily paid for their time on the show and their contributions to the narrative. While they are involved in the builds, their compensation is not directly tied to the success or profitability of each project. The shop’s profits from the build are completely separate and go to the business’s overall income.
3. How does Count’s Kustoms make money outside of the show?
Count’s Kustoms generates income through custom car and motorcycle builds, restorations, modifications, and merchandise sales. The shop also offers services like paint jobs and general automotive maintenance.
4. What are the major expenses for Count’s Kustoms?
Major expenses include payroll for the shop’s employees, the cost of materials for custom builds (paint, parts, metalwork), rent or mortgage payments for the shop space, insurance, and marketing/advertising costs.
5. How profitable is custom car building in general?
The profitability of custom car building varies greatly depending on the shop’s reputation, skill level, overhead costs, and pricing strategy. High-end shops can command significant profits, while smaller shops may struggle to break even.
6. What role does Ryan Evans play in the financial success of Count’s Kustoms?
As the lead painter, Ryan Evans is crucial to the quality and aesthetics of the custom builds. His skills contribute directly to the shop’s reputation and its ability to charge premium prices. Therefore his success is directly linked to the shop’s financial success.
7. Does Count’s Kustoms own the cars they build on the show?
The ownership of the cars varies. Some are customer-owned vehicles brought in for custom work, while others are purchased by Count’s Kustoms to be restored and resold for a profit.
8. What happens to the cars after they are featured on Counting Cars?
After being featured, customer-owned cars are returned to their owners. Cars owned by Count’s Kustoms are typically sold to collectors or displayed at car shows to further promote the business.
9. How has Counting Cars impacted property values in the area around Count’s Kustoms?
While difficult to quantify precisely, the show’s popularity and the increased tourism to the area likely contribute to increased property values in the vicinity of Count’s Kustoms, as the business attracts visitors and boosts the local economy.
10. What is the most expensive car Count’s Kustoms has ever built?
While the exact value of every build is private, projects that involve rare or highly sought-after vehicles, extensive modifications, and high-end materials can easily cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
11. How does the History Channel influence the creative decisions at Count’s Kustoms?
The History Channel likely influences the types of projects featured on the show to maximize entertainment value. However, Count’s Kustoms likely retains significant control over the actual design and execution of the custom builds.
12. Will Counting Cars have future seasons, and how would that affect earnings?
As of late 2024, Counting Cars has not been formally cancelled but has also not announced any new seasons. The network’s choice depends on viewer interest and ratings, which directly impact advertising revenue and therefore the show’s and potentially Count’s Kustoms’ earnings. Continued seasons would provide consistent income and further brand exposure, while cancellation could lead to decreased revenue from the show itself. However, the pre-existing brand recognition the show brought to the shop would hopefully help them maintain a high income even if the show is cancelled.