Mike Rowe sues Discovery for $2 million in alleged unpaid narrating fees
Rowe says Discovery owed him for 51 missed episodes and 12 longer installments under a 2020 pay-or-play deal, plus interest.
- On Tuesday, TV personality Mike Rowe and his production company, Lab Rat, sued Discovery Talent Services, alleging breach of contract over unpaid narration fees for Deadliest Catch and its spinoffs.
- The lawsuit claims Discovery failed to honor a 2020 'pay-or-play' agreement mandating $40,000 per episode, which ensured Rowe compensation even when he did not narrate specific episodes.
- Rowe and Lab Rat claim they are 'entitled to payment of at least $2.04 million' after Discovery allegedly exercised its choice not to use Rowe as narrator in at least 51 spinoff episodes including 'Deadliest Catch: Bloodline' and 'Deadliest Catch: The Viking Returns.'
- A Discovery Network spokesperson refuted the claims, stating the company has 'fulfilled our contractual obligations' and intends to defend itself against the allegations.
- This action follows a June 2025 lawsuit Rowe filed against parent company Warner Bros. Discovery over residuals after the network licensed the series to streaming platforms.
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The Independent
The Independent (US)TV personality Mike Rowe says Discovery stiffed him out of $2M for voiceover work
Mike Rowe has been narrating ‘Deadliest Catch’ since 2005
Bizpac Review
ussanews.comMike Rowe takes Discovery to court in major legal showdown
Mike Rowe has hit Discovery with a lawsuit claiming that he is owed millions for his narration of Deadliest Catch. The television personality claims that he is […]
Mike Rowe Sues Discovery Over Millions In Alleged Unpaid Fees for Narrating 'Deadliest Catch'
Mike Rowe is taking Discovery to court. The 64-year-old TV personality, best known for hosting the series Dirty Jobs, and […] The post Mike Rowe Sues Discovery Over Millions In Alleged Unpaid Fees for Narrating ‘Deadliest Catch’ appeared first on Just Jared - Celebrity News and Gossip
Mike Rowe Sues Discovery, Claims Over $2 Million in Unpaid ‘Deadliest Catch’ Narration Fees
Mike Rowe, the TV personality best known for hosting “Dirty Jobs,” sued Discovery for more than $2 million, alleging the company failed to properly pay out his narration fees for “Deadliest Catch.” Rowe, along with his production company, Lab Rat, filed the lawsuit against Discovery Talent Services on Tuesday, where they alleged the company was in breach of its contract. Namely, the suit states Discovery did not honor the “pay-or-play” agreement…
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