Each of the participants was paid $5,000 for the show, with the possibility of earning $20,000 more during filming, which took place over 40 days last spring and early summer.

CBS still has plenty of obstacles to cover, one being with its advertisers.  The New York Times reported that advance screenings of the first episodes have been arranged with ad executives worried about backing the show.

"Everybody's questions about the show will be answered when it airs," Tom Forman, the show's executive producer, said.

The network has also been contacted by international TV companies hoping to buy the format rights to the series, something CBS will not consider until they move past the controversy surrounding the show, executives said. 

And the plans for season two could find more trouble as the New Mexico investigation into child labor law violation will make it difficult for the show to find a state that would approve it for filming.

(NOTE: If the issue comes down to the contracts the parents signed, and it’s concluded that CBS took every necessary step – meaning the blame falls on the parents, not the network – you can bet CBS will have no problem repeating the process with a new crop of parents.  I mean, $5k to let little Timmy go to camp and get on television?  Are you kidding me?!  So what if he might burn his face cooking in an unsupervised kitchen, or drink bleach!  $5,000!  FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS!)

Scott Goldberg

Related:
Kid Nation & the Sordid Reality of Reality Television