According to ‘Duck Dynasty’ producer Deirdre Gurney, there are a “lot of factors at play” in the contract negotiations with the quirky Robertson clan.
The family is currently in a salary standoff with the cable network, demanding $200,000 per episode to film Season 4 — a substantial raise from their current pay.
The popular A&E show set new records for the network during the Season 3 premiere with 8.6 million viewers and a massive 4.0 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic.
For the unschooled, the bearded and wealthy Robertson family owns and operates Duck Commander, a duck call business that was launched 25 years ago in a dilapidated shed in West Monroe, Louisiana.
The family includes Phil and his wife Miss Kay, Vietnam veteran Si, company CEO Willie and his wife Korie, Jase and his wife Missy, Jep and his wife Jessica.
A&E owns no stake in the Robertson’ various branding efforts, their duck call business or any of their lucrative speaking engagements that net them a significant payday in addition to what they are paid per episode by the network.
Producer Gurney admits that when the ratings “blow up” everyone benefits. She was emphatic that the goal is to get the Robertson clan to refocus on the show. She revealed, “It is hard to watch the talent go through the negotiation process.”
Photo: Twitter-A&E Duck Dynasty