Mike Rowe is known for his work with Deadliest Catch, even when he is heard and not seen. However, news has come out that he is suing Discovery over the show. The suit alleges that he is owed payments from the show, especially in part because of a previous deal.
Mike Rowe Joined Deadliest Catch In 2005, With Him Originally Going To Get An On-Camera Role
Rowe is known for his work with various reality shows, including Dirty Jobs and Somebody’s Gotta Do It. He is also known for hosting the podcast series, The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe.
However, Rowe has been part of a few reality shows where fans haven’t quite seen him, but can still hear him. He’s served as a narrator on a few such shows, including How the Universe Works, Shark Week, and Deadliest Catch. In fact, early on, Rowe was actually brought on with the intention of him having an on-camera role as host on Deadliest Catch.
Recently, however, news has come out that Rowe is suing Discovery for over $2 million. Reportedly, it’s been alleged that the company failed to pay him properly for narrating Deadliest Catch.
As shared by The New York Post, Rowe and his production company, Lab Rat, filed a lawsuit against Discovery Talent Services, claiming that the company breached its contract. The complaint alleged that the company refused to honor a “pay-or-play” agreement involving the show and its spin-offs.
Deadliest Catch Has Had A Few Spin-Offs Over The Years, With The Suit Noting That Rowe Has Narrating Multiple Episodes From Them
Rowe has narrated the reality series since 2005. As the suit alleges, he and DTS made an arrangement in 2020. Under this, he would get $40,000 per episode. He is to narrate the series, but he is to be compensated for episodes he does not narrate, as claimed by his lawyers. DTS allegedly did not enlist Rowe for five episodes during Season 21 of the show.
As the filing added, “Lab Rat and Rowe have also learned that the episodes of the original Deadliest Catch series that are aired internationally are materially different than the episodes aired in the United States. To the extent any of these international episodes are determined to be ‘originally produced episodes,’ the pay-or-play agreement would apply to those as well.” The filing continued, “Because DTS exercised its choice not to use Rowe as a Narrator in at least 51 episodes of Deadliest Catch spinoffs, Lab Rat is entitled to payment of at least $2.04 million….”
In addition, the show has had a few spin-offs over the years. These include Deadliest Catch: The Bait, Deadliest Catch: Dungeon Cove, Deadliest Catch: Bloodline, and Deadliest Catch: The Viking Returns. In 2027, the upcoming Deadliest Catch: Northern Edge is also expected to be released.
As the outlet noted, Lab Rat is entitled to “at least $2.04 million.” This includes possible “additional payments for 12 longer episodes,” plus interest. Rowe and Lab Rat appear to be demanding a jury trial.
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John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.