In the middle of its eighth season, hit TV series One Tree Hill has drawn fanatical fans and millions of dollars to Hollywood East.

According to production company Warner Bros., the show costs about $20 million per season to make. Over the eight years, the company estimates that it has dropped about $160 million in the Port City from hiring crewmembers and extras to shopping locally for wardrobes.

“TV series are really great for economic development because you have eight seasons,” said Michael Walbrecht, vice president of studio and production affairs at Warner Bros. Entertainment.

When considering where to set up production for a new project, the company draws up detailed budgets and scenarios for various locations from Los Angeles to Wilmington.

“It’s a calculus and there are all these variables. The big ones are cost, experienced crew, suppliers and facilities, such as soundstages and equipment, locations and other variables like weather and access to airports,” Walbrecht said.

On the ground, most of the 1,500 visitors who take the Hollywood Location Walking Tour in Wilmington each year are One Tree Hill fans, said John Hirchak, co-founder of the tour. The show’s fans flock from France, Germany, the U.K., New Zealand and Australia.

“One Tree Hill fans are almost fanatical. They come in from all over the world,” he said. Many stand outside locations like Clothes over Bros on Front Street for eight to 10 hours while the show is filming, he said.

Dawson’s Creek and Blue Velvet fans continue to make the pilgrimage to the Port City as well. “They will continue to come 20 to 30 years even after the show wraps up,” Hirchak said.

Warner Bros. has decided to film another full season of One Tree Hill, which consists of 22 episodes. Season 8 will wrap in March or April. But the company has not announced if this will be its final season.