$147m: Judge Judy now the world’s highest paid TV host

Judge Judy Sheindlin is now the world’s highest paid TV host with annual earnings at a staggering $147m (AU$201m).

Forbes has ranked her at #1 after she sold her show’s 5,200-episode library, as well as future episodes, for an estimated US$100 million last year. Judge Judy consistently garners more than 10 million daily viewers in its 23rd season.

Ellen DeGeneres ranks second, buoyed by her syndicated talk show and a Netflix comedy special. Dr. Phil McGraw ranks third.

As Forbes notes, daytime shows tend to attract the 18 to 49 year old women on whom advertisers spend most of their money. It’s thanks to these high ratings that star hosts can negotiate such favourable deals with their networks or production houses.

Dropping out of the top 5 this year is Simon Cowell.

Here’s a look at the annual pay of this year’s top TV hosts, with earnings estimated from June 2017 – 2018:

1. Judy Sheindlin
Judge Judy star, 76, $147 million

2. Ellen DeGeneres
The Ellen DeGeneres Show host, 60, $87.5 million

3. Dr. Phil McGraw
Dr. Phil host, 68, $77.5 million

4. Ryan Seacrest
Live With Kelly and Ryan and American Idol host, 43, $74 million

5. Steve Harvey
Family Feud, Steve, Miss Universe and Little Big Shots host, 61, $44 million

Source: USA Today