I think it was 50 percent of salary plus 25 percent of the first year's profit multiplied by the unexpired portion of the contract.
7 seconds sound clip from the Network (1976) movie soundboard.
You can hear this line at 01:56:38.892 in the Blu-ray version of the movie.
Quote context
[...]
- Well, if Beale dies, what would our continuing obligation to the Beale corporation be?
- I know our contract with Beale contains a buy-out clause triggered by his death or incapacity.
- There must be a formula for the computation of the purchase price.
- Offhand, I think it was based on a multiple 1975 earnings with the base period in 1975.
- I don't think the show has any substantial syndication value would you say, Diana?
- Syndication profits are minimal.
- We're talking about a capital crime here. The network can't be implicated.
- I hope you don't have any hidden tape machines in this office, Frank.
- Well, the issue is, shall we kill Howard Beale or not? I'd like to hear some more opinions on that.
[...]