ABC's 'American Idol' is leaving Los Angeles, in another blow to the industry
Los Angeles Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- ABC’s “American Idol,” after 25 years in Hollywood, will relocate its upcoming season to the Atlanta area, reflecting a broader trend of TV productions leaving Los Angeles due to more attractive tax incentives elsewhere.
- Los Angeles has seen a 27% decline in TV production activity in the second quarter compared to the previous year, driven largely by a drop in reality TV shoots despite California’s efforts to boost its tax credit program.
- Georgia offers up to a 30% tax credit for reality TV productions with budgets over $500,000, including compensation for key talent, making it a more competitive location than California for shows like “American Idol,” “Shark Tank,” and “The Masked Singer.”
- Industry stakeholders, including lawmakers and unions, are advocating for a federal film and television tax credit to help retain production jobs in the U.S., with proposed legislation expected soon and estimates suggesting it could create 143,000 new jobs.
- The trend of relocating productions extends beyond reality and competition shows, with game shows increasingly moving overseas to countries like Ireland and Britain to capitalize on favorable tax incentives amid declining domestic audiences and profits.
