Even after his conviction for sexual assault in 2018, Bill Cosby continues to have a financial stake in The Cosby Show. As the creator, executive producer, and star of one of the most successful sitcoms in TV history, Cosby’s ongoing earnings from the show are part of a broader conversation about the complicated relationship between artists, their work, and their actions. But does Cosby still receive money from the show today? The answer is yes, but the details are far from simple.
How Bill Cosby Earns Money from The Cosby Show
The Cosby Show was a cultural phenomenon when it first aired in the 1980s and 90s, and it remains one of the most-watched sitcoms of all time. Even though the show has not been as widely syndicated in recent years due to Cosby’s legal troubles, there are still several ways he could be earning money from the show.
1. Residuals and Royalties
One of the primary ways Cosby continues to earn from The Cosby Show is through residuals—payments made to actors, writers, and producers when a show is rebroadcast or sold for syndication. As the star and producer, Cosby would have a stake in these residuals.
- Syndication Payments: After The Cosby Show ended its original run in 1992, it continued to earn money through syndication. This includes reruns on TV networks, cable channels, and later, streaming platforms.
- Streaming Services: Shows like The Cosby Show often get licensing deals when sold to streaming platforms. For example, The Cosby Show is available for streaming on platforms like Peacock, which means that Cosby would likely still be receiving a share of the licensing revenue, depending on his contract.
2. Syndication Profits
In the world of television, syndication is one of the most lucrative ways a show continues to earn money long after its original broadcast. Cosby, as one of the executive producers, is entitled to a portion of the revenue from these deals. Even though the show’s reruns have slowed down in recent years due to controversy surrounding Cosby, it’s still an important source of income.
- Networks like Bounce TV and Antenna TV, which air classic sitcoms, have continued to run The Cosby Show. These deals would bring in additional revenue that Cosby could still profit from as part of his stake in the show.
3. International Revenue
The Cosby Show enjoyed global success, and it’s likely that Cosby continues to earn money from international syndication and licensing agreements. TV shows like The Cosby Show often get sold to networks in other countries, and the creator/producer receives a percentage of the international revenue. Even though these deals may be less frequent, they still contribute to Cosby’s overall earnings.
4. DVD and Blu-ray Sales
Even with the controversies surrounding Cosby, The Cosby Show still has a market for physical media. DVD and Blu-ray box sets continue to be sold to fans, collectors, or those who prefer physical copies over streaming. Cosby, as a co-creator and executive producer, would receive royalties from the sale of these products.
The Impact of Cosby’s Legal Issues
After Cosby’s conviction for sexual assault, many networks and platforms reevaluated their relationship with the show. Some stopped airing The Cosby Show altogether, and others made adjustments to how they handle the distribution of his content. For example, Netflix and Hulu eventually removed Cosby’s comedy specials from their platforms, and other cable networks scaled back reruns of The Cosby Show. This affected the amount of residual income he might have received from certain networks and platforms.
However, Peacock, which is owned by NBCUniversal (the company that originally aired The Cosby Show), still offers the show for streaming, meaning Cosby may still receive a portion of that revenue. The ongoing availability of the show on streaming platforms means that he likely still benefits from some of the profits generated by these deals.
Can Cosby’s Earnings Be Cut Off?
In the wake of his conviction, some critics argue that Cosby should no longer be able to profit from his past work, given the nature of his crimes. However, unless specific clauses in his contract or distribution deals prevent it, it’s likely that Cosby continues to receive income from The Cosby Show, regardless of his legal status. The complex nature of entertainment contracts means that even if some networks or platforms choose to stop airing the show, Cosby might still receive money from other sources, such as residuals or international distribution.
It’s worth noting that his financial situation could also be impacted by lawsuits and legal fees, as well as potential efforts to freeze or seize his assets to compensate victims.
Yes, Bill Cosby still profits from The Cosby Show, albeit in a less prominent way than before. As a creator and producer, Cosby is entitled to residuals, syndication fees, and royalties from DVD sales, international distribution, and streaming platforms. While the controversy surrounding his conviction has undoubtedly affected the show’s visibility and distribution in some cases, it’s likely that Cosby continues to earn money from his iconic TV show—at least for now.
The situation remains a difficult and uncomfortable one, with many viewers grappling with whether or not they should continue to support the show given the serious allegations against its star. Ultimately, the question of whether Cosby should continue to profit from his past work is a personal and ethical decision for many viewers to consider.
