Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Making millions is kids' play for Wiggles

The Wiggles have shimmied their way to the top of the best-paid Australian entertainer list for the fourth year running.
The quartet of children's entertainers took in $45 million for 2007-08, putting them ahead of Australia's most famous actors and singers, according to BRW's Top 50 Entertainers, an annual entertainers' rich list.
The Wiggles, who have racked up $240 million in the past 12 years on videos, merchandising and concert performances, weren't the only kids' group to make the cut. Fellow children's funsters Hi-5 ranked - where else? - No.5 on the annual rating, earning $18 million for the year. 
Actors were the most prominent category on the list, with 17 making the top 50.
Russell Crowe was the highest in the group, ranked third. Musicians accounted for nine of the earners while authors, concert promoters and filmmakers added five entrants each.
Not even the list's high flyers were immune from the effect of an Australian dollar's strength for most of the year, the magazine said, since most of their globetrotting stars' earnings came from abroad.
Once the proceeds were converted into Australian dollars, earnings for the group were down 9.9  per cent to $358.6 million from $393.4 million in the previous year.
One of those acts performing overseas was the Australian Pink Floyd show, a tribute band popular in the original band's homeland of Britain.
The Aussie take on the psychedelic masters earned $6.5 million last year, allowing it to shine on in 14th position.
"The band has even been invited to play at a birthday party of one of the real Pink Floyd members," Top 50 Entertainer editor John Stensholt said, in what must be the ultimate endorsement of group.
Ageing hard rockers AC/DC stayed deep in the black, earning $12 million on the sales of music and DVDs, achieving eighth spot. The band's earnings don't include money from their just-released single, the first in nearly a decade.
"They're just huge the world over," Stensholt said.
"Next year they could reach No.1 on the list."
Country singer Keith Urban earned $12.3 million this year, giving him a No.7  ranking, while his famous wife Nicole Kidman was 22nd with $4.5 million.
"She took time off to have a child, losing some endorsement deals," Stensholt said, predicting a rebound on the list next year. The ranking of Hollywood actors "depends in part on how many big films they do in a year", he said.
Two women made it into the top 10: pop princess Kylie Minogue rated No.2, earning $40 million, putting her in the top spot as solo performer. Actress Cate Blanchett took in $14 million to be sixth.
Ubermodel and presenter Jennifer Hawkins hit No.27, taking in $3.3 million, just behind Miranda Kerr who earned $3.6 million, which placed her in the No.25 spot.

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