“American Idol” is leaving Los Angeles. The show that has broadcast live from the city since 2002 will now move its production to Georgia, according to Deadline, which broke the news Tuesday.
ABC, along with producers Fremantle and 19 Entertainment (owned by Sony Pictures TV), did not respond to requests for comment. But the move fits a familiar pattern: studio-based reality and game-show production has been migrating out of Los Angeles in search of tax incentives and lower costs.
Shows Already Gone
Fox’s “The Masked Singer” has moved to New Jersey, most recently shooting on the Fox lot in Century City. ABC’s “Shark Tank” has left the Sony lot in Culver City for Atlanta, as has Fox’s “Lego Masters,” formerly shot in Van Nuys. Game shows like “Family Feud” and “Celebrity Family Feud” have also relocated to the Atlanta area.
The trend is not new, but the scale of it is growing. Each move removes permanent jobs, local vendor income and steady demand from Los Angeles facilities. In the case of “American Idol,” the move marks the departure of one of the longest-running live entertainment fixtures in the city’s history.
Georgia vs. California
California’s film and television tax credit program has expanded to include unscripted fare. But there is a catch: those competition shows must have a budget of more than $1 million per episode. That makes it difficult to qualify, even for major shows like “American Idol.”
Georgia’s tax incentives require a total production spend of $500,000, making it more attractive for shows like “Idol.” The comparison is stark:
| Show | Current Location | Previous Location |
|---|---|---|
| “American Idol” | Georgia | Los Angeles |
| “The Masked Singer” | New Jersey | Century City |
| “Shark Tank” | Atlanta | Culver City |
| “Lego Masters” | Atlanta | Van Nuys |
The California Exception
The California incentives still do not cover docuseries, talk shows or game shows. States like New Jersey and Georgia, on the other hand, do not limit their incentives.
Todd Weinstein, Esq., senior owner of Weinstein Senior, wrote about this gap last year on LinkedIn. “Reality and unscripted television remain excluded (with the exception of competition shows), despite being one of California’s most productive, scalable, and culturally influential sectors,” he wrote.
“At a time when producers are navigating shrinking license fees, shorter episode orders, and tighter margins, the ongoing omission of this entire category raises real questions about the long-term viability of keeping these productions in-state,” he added.
Weinstein also noted that reality television has been a foundational part of California’s production economy for decades. “These shows generate thousands of jobs, support local vendors, keep post facilities running, and increasingly require the same physical infrastructure as scripted content,” he wrote. “They might look different with faster schedules, leaner teams, and alternative storytelling structures but they are no less real in terms of economic impact.”
Where “Idol” Shot In L.A.
“American Idol” was broadcast from Television City in the Fairfax district for most of its run. It later shifted to Red Studios Hollywood.
The move means the show’s signature live broadcasts will no longer originate from the same city where the show began. For fans accustomed to watching contestants perform live from Los Angeles, the shift represents a notable break with tradition.
The Broader Economic Picture
The departure of “American Idol” is part of a larger exodus. The state’s film and television tax credit program has expanded to include unscripted fare, but the eligibility requirements make it hard for many shows to qualify.
That leaves producers with a simple choice: shoot where the incentives are generous, or pay full price. Georgia offers a lower threshold, so shows can qualify with smaller budgets.
What Happens Next
“American Idol” has not announced a new production timeline beyond the move itself. The show remains on ABC, and the network has not commented publicly on the decision.
The practical effect will ripple through the Los Angeles production ecosystem. Permanent jobs tied to the show’s presence in the city will be lost, as will local vendor income and steady demand for Los Angeles facilities.
The Bottom Line
The move of “American Idol” to Georgia is a signal. It is one more anchor tenant walking away from Los Angeles, and the reasons are financial: Georgia’s tax incentives are more generous, and California’s are too restrictive for many shows to use.
The state’s film and television tax credit program has expanded to include unscripted fare, but the eligibility requirements make it hard for many shows to qualify. That leaves producers with a simple choice: shoot where the incentives are generous, or pay full price. Georgia offers a lower threshold, so shows can qualify with smaller budgets.
The trend is not new, but the scale of it is growing. Each move removes permanent jobs, local vendor income and steady demand from Los Angeles facilities. The “Idol” move adds another anchor tenant to the list.
The question now is whether California will change its approach. The sector Weinstein describes — reality and unscripted television — is productive, scalable and culturally influential. It also generates thousands of jobs, supports local vendors and keeps post facilities running.
If the state does not address the gap, more shows may follow “Idol.” The incentives exist elsewhere, and the math is simple: shoot where the money is.
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