American Idol Production Shifts to Atlanta, Renewing Concerns Over California’s Tax Incentives

Disney’s “American Idol” is leaving its longtime Los Angeles home for production in Georgia, a move that intensifies worries about the sustainability of local entertainment manufacturing amid perceived state policy shortcomings. For the first time since the franchise launched in 2002, the iconic reality competition will broadcast from outside California.

The announcement was first reported by Deadline. ABC, alongside producers Fremantle and 19 Entertainment under Sony Pictures Television, did not provide immediate comment regarding the relocation. The move adds another high-profile series to a growing list of unscripted programs abandoning Los Angeles to pursue more favorable fiscal environments elsewhere.

The exodus reflects a broader trend affecting California’s entertainment economy. Major network productions have recently followed similar paths: Fox’s “The Masked Singer” relocated to New Jersey after previously filming on the Fox lot in Century City. Additionally, ABC’s “Shark Tank” and Fox’s “Lego Masters” have both moved operations to Atlanta, while game shows such as “Family Feud” and “Celebrity Family Feud” have also established bases in the Georgia area.

A primary driver behind these relocations is California’s tax credit structure, which currently excludes most unscripted formats. While the state expanded its film and television tax credit program to include some competition shows, eligibility requires a budget exceeding $1 million per episode—a threshold that disqualifies many major productions, including “American Idol.” In contrast, states like Georgia offer incentives with a much lower spending floor of $500,000, making them financially attractive for productions with tighter margins.

California tax incentives also do not cover docuseries, talk shows, or standard game shows. Todd Weinstein, Esq., owner of Weinstein Senior, highlighted these disparities in a LinkedIn post last year, noting that the continued exclusion of these categories raises questions about the long-term viability of maintaining production within the state.

“Reality and unscripted television has been a foundational part of California’s production economy for decades,” Weinstein wrote. “These shows generate thousands of jobs, support local vendors, keep post facilities running, and increasingly require the same physical infrastructure as scripted content.”

For years, “American Idol” has been synonymous with Los Angeles, primarily broadcasting from Television City in the Fairfax district before later shifting to Red Studios Hollywood. The departure marks a significant symbolic and economic loss for the region, underscoring the competitive pressure from states offering more inclusive incentive frameworks.