^^^^ Have you ever studied the credits on these "reality" shows, It takes an army to film, edit, and whatever!!!! And non of these guys work cheap I bet!!
True. And as the show gained traction they gained camera men and the crew got bigger. Rooms, food, fuel, rental car (minivan) and salary might be their biggest expenses.
But if that is the case, then someone throwing parts at them isn't what made the show work and "sponsored parts" is a pointless strawman.