TV Guide Magazine Reveals Highest-Paid TV Stars

TV Guide Magazine's annual survey of star salaries has a few surprises.

According to the mag, “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart is now earning between $25-30 million a year, putting him ahead of the past late-night salary leaders Jay Leno and David Letterman.

Ashton Kutcher remains the biggest moneymaking man in prime time television with $750,000 per episode for his role on “Two and a Half Men,” while “NCIS” star Mark Harmon tops the drama category, with $525,000 an episode, plus a piece of the show's profits.

“The Big Bang Theory” stars could surpass Kutcher next year. Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons and Kaley Cuoco are expected to seek new deals that pay them up to $1 million an episode when their contracts expire after the upcoming season.

Judge Judy Sheindlin is top-earning performer in any genre, taking in $47 million a year for her highly rated syndicated daytime show, “Judge Judy.”

The survey is based on conversations with agents, managers, and studio heads and network executives.