“American Idol” is moving its production from Los Angeles to the Atlanta area for its 25th season, driven largely by Georgia’s attractive tax incentives for unscripted television. The tax credit can reach up to 30% for productions spending a minimum of $500,000 in the state. This change highlights a broader trend, as unscripted production in Los Angeles has significantly declined—dropping 62.7% from its five-year average—due to increasing competition for productions and the appeal of other states’ tax breaks.
This relocation follows a similar decision by Fox Entertainment Studios, which moved “The Masked Singer” to New Jersey for its own tax advantages. Although California recently expanded its tax incentives for unscripted series, eligibility criteria remain stringent, primarily favoring large-budget competition shows.
