American Idol is leaving Los Angeles for Georgia for Season 25 as LA’s unscripted production drops 62.7% in five years, with Georgia offering up to 30% tax credits for reality shows
American Idol is leaving Los Angeles.The long-running ABC music competition show is moving production from Los Angeles to the Atlanta area in Georgia for its upcoming 25th season, according to Deadline. The new season is scheduled to premiere in 2027.Fremantle, which produces the series with Sony Pictures Television-backed 19 Entertainment, has confirmed the production move. The company is reportedly in final talks with a studio complex in the Atlanta area, although a deal has not yet been signed.
Georgia’s tax incentives behind American Idol move
The move comes as reality television production in Los Angeles continues to decline, with financial incentives in other states increasingly influencing where unscripted shows are filmed.Georgia offers up to a 30% tax credit for unscripted and reality television productions that spend at least $500,000 in the state. The incentive is understood to be one of the main factors behind American Idol’s decision to relocate production.Georgia has become one of the major filming destinations in the US outside Los Angeles and New York. The state has hosted major scripted productions, including Marvel projects such as Captain America: Brave New World and WandaVision, alongside unscripted programmes including Fox’s The 1% Club and ABC’s Press Your Luck, hosted by Elizabeth Banks.
Los Angeles reality production falls sharply
American Idol’s departure comes at a difficult time for Los Angeles’ unscripted production sector.FilmLA’s latest production data showed that while overall television production increased compared with the same period last year, unscripted productions recorded 40% fewer shoot days in Los Angeles during the second quarter of 2026 compared with the second quarter of 2025.Over a five-year period, unscripted production in the city has fallen 62.7%, according to FilmLA figures.The departure of American Idol is particularly notable because it follows another major music competition show, The Masked Singer, moving production away from Los Angeles.
The Masked Singer also leaves California
Fox moved The Masked Singer from California to New Jersey for its 15th season.One factor behind that decision was New Jersey’s production incentive programme, which offers a 30% tax credit on qualified expenses and up to 40% for certain studio projects. Unlike California, New Jersey allows unscripted productions broadly to qualify for its incentives.The back-to-back moves mean two of the biggest music competition franchises on American television will have shifted production away from Los Angeles within a 12-month period.
Why American Idol did not qualify for California’s expanded tax credit
California expanded its film and television tax-credit programme last year after legislators passed AB 1138. The revised system introduced tax incentives for certain unscripted productions for the first time.However, eligibility was limited to “large-scale competition shows” with a minimum budget of $1 million per episode.While American Idol would appear to fit that description, the show did not qualify for California’s tax credit.Several other productions have also reportedly failed to qualify, frustrating producers who have raised concerns about the programme’s restrictions. The legislation excludes “traditional reality, game shows, talk shows, or docufollow television programming” from eligibility.
American Idol prepares for Season 25
The production move represents another change for American Idol, which was renewed for Season 25, its 10th season on ABC, in July.The show recently filmed at Red Studios in Hollywood. During its most recent season, the series introduced social voting, moved Hollywood Week to Nashville, Tennessee, shifted its broadcast night from Sunday to Monday and began streaming live on Disney+.Ryan Seacrest continues to host the competition, while Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood served as judges during the most recent season.The trio is expected to return for Season 25, although their deals are still being negotiated.Megan Michaels Wolflick serves as showrunner.
