Even American Idol – which has spent over two decades in California – is moving their production out of the state.
At one point in time, the focal point of the entire entertainment industry was Hollywood. If you wanted to make a TV show, or a movie, or become an actor or actress (or whatever else), you had to go to Los Angeles and make it all happen in the state of California.
Soon, that won’t be necessary, and the most notable industry of the “Golden State” will be no more.
As high taxes and burdensome regulations have continued to hinder those trying to create media and other forms of entertainment in California, productions have decided to move out. Other states like Tennessee, Georgia and Texas have welcomed the entertainment industry with open arms, and more importantly, far less regulations. Just to let you know how bad it’s really gotten… even the iconic Paramount studios is considering a move from California to Nashville, Tennessee.
And now, one of the biggest reality TV shows in the city of L.A. is leaving town. American Idol, which has primarily found a home in California for its 24 previous seasons, will be moving its production to Atlanta, Georgia for Season 25 – and presumably beyond. Deadline was the first to report the news, saying:
“The ABC show is moving production for its upcoming Season 25, which premieres in the new year, Fremantle, which produces the show with Sony Pictures Television-backed 19 Entertainment. We hear that Fremantle is in final talks with a studio complex in the area but that it has not signed the deal.”
Part of the reason why American Idol decided to leave California for Georgia was the 30% tax credit that is given to reality television and unscripted productions that spend at least half a million dollars in the state. The singing competition series will easily reach that threshold, which will provide Idol a tax credit that California simply can’t match (they could, but Golden State politicians don’t seem to care). I’m not sure how Gavin Newsom is gonna run for President with “I destroyed Hollywood” on the résumé…
You can’t blame American Idol for looking to get out from under the regulations and taxes of the western state. In fact, all of the blame actually lies with the politicians who have sat idly by and watched their once notable and iconic industry falter. The move out of California has been happening for years (just ask Nashvillians), but things have only been expedited by the state’s lack of interest in easing financial burdens for its already established organizations.
The signs of American Idol moving out were all there too. They moved their “Hollywood Week” to Nashville, Tennessee just last season, and the motivation to do so wasn’t just to give fans a view of Music City. Filming in Tennessee – albeit for a short amount of time – saved the production some money. And now armed with hindsight, it very well could have been a test run for an eventual move outside of the state of California.
Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood are all expected to return as judges for Season 25, and I’m sure the two country stars on the judges panel will love the shorter commute to work. A trip to Atlanta from Nashville is a lot more convenient than a cross country flight to California.
