Special supplement to the Journal of Cultural Economics. Selected papers presented at the conference L'economie du Spectacle Vivant et L'audiovisual, Paris, France, October 15-16, 1985.

The author show that the often discussed cost disease is a inexorable in film and television production as it is in live performances. Economics factors that lead to decreased rehearsals performers, and sets as well as a safer repertoire crosses into broadcast media; they also increase economic pressures on live performances.

CONTENTS
The cost disease and inflation.
The ASOL and TCG data.
Summary of conclusions from the data.
The mass media and the cost disease.
The evidence for the mass media.
Falling mass media audiences.
Concluding comment.
Footnote.

Tables:
     1. Income, expenses and activity: 22 regional theatres 1976-1983.
         Millions of current dollars except as noted.
     2. Income and expenses: 22 regional theatres. 1974-1983.
         Millions of 1972 dollars.
     3. Real cost per performance and per attendee.
         22 regional theatres.
         1976-1983.
     4. Theatre income, expenses, activity.
         Indices: 22 regional theatres. 
     5. Percent distribution, Theatre income, expenses. 
     6. Income, expenses and activity.
         ASOL orchestras 1976-1983.
         Millions of current dollars except as noted.
     7. Real budgets, ASOL orchestras 1974-1983.
         Millions of 1972 dollars.

Figure 1. Attendance indices: Theatres & Orchestras.
Figure 2. Ticket price indices. 
              Movies & Commercial theatre 1948-1983.
Figure 3. T.V. costs and drama ticket prices.

The author show that the often discussed cost disease is a inexorable in film and television production as it is in live performances. Economics factors that lead to decreased rehearsals performers, and sets as well as a safer repertoire crosses into broadcast media; they also increase economic pressures on live performances.