ABC's "American Idol" to relocate production from Los Angeles to Atlanta

ABC's "American Idol" is set to move its production operations from Los Angeles to the Atlanta region, Fremantle confirmed on Tuesday. The relocation follows a broader decline in filming activity in California, where the permitting office FilmLA reported a nearly 13 percent drop in shoot days from April to June compared with the same period last year, and an 8 percent decline from the previous quarter.

State officials have expanded California's film and television tax incentive cap to $750 million annually, but industry leaders say the increase is only a partial remedy for the state's shrinking production volume. Competition from other U.S. states such as Georgia, New York, New Jersey and New Mexico, as well as international locations, has intensified as jurisdictions vie for tax credits and other benefits.

Georgia, which ranks third among U.S. production hubs, welcomed the move, noting that "American Idol" provides a stable, multi-episode series compared with one-off projects. The Georgia film office reported 280 in-state productions in the last fiscal year, including major studio films and series, though overall spending in the state fell 40 percent year-over-year to $405 million in the second quarter of 2026. By contrast, California recorded $1.3 billion in production spending in the same period, a modest 5 percent increase.

Local officials in Los Angeles have pledged to streamline permitting processes and expand incentives. > "We’ll keep cutting red tape and slashing permit fees at the local level, because this industry is core to the history, culture and economic power of Los Angeles," Mayor Karen Bass said in July, adding that the city is "doubling down" on subsidy programs and seeking an uncapped tax credit for reality-TV productions.