The cost of producing an average one-hour TV drama rose $300,000-$400,000 over the past season to about $2 million, the online magazine Inside reported Wednesday, citing unnamed studio and network executives.

The magazine said that some shows set for next season are likely to have budgets that are considerably higher, including Arnold Kopelson's revival of The Fugitive, which is expected to cost $2.6 million per episode.

With networks continuing to pay between $1 million and $1.5 million per show, producers will increasingly have to depend on syndication to make up the difference and turn a profit.

ABC Entertainment co-chairman Lloyd Braun told Inside: "It's going to be very challenging for a lot of them that are being produced at these exorbitant numbers to make money."

Source: Studio Briefing