| Metric | Scripted Drama | Industry Documentary | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Cost per episode | $8–20M | $500k–2M | | Archival footage cost | High (licensing) | Low (in-house libraries) | | Talent payment | Scale + residuals | Clip fees or one-off interviews | | Legal risk | Moderate (defamation, copyright) | High (NDAs, right of publicity) | | Re-watchability | Moderate | High (fans revisit to catch easter eggs) |

The has evolved from a niche interest for film students to a mainstream genre that consistently draws awards and water-cooler buzz. It satisfies our primal need to witness creation and destruction simultaneously.

Truth in the Age of AI: Upholding Journalistic Integrity ... - AIMICI