American Idol Relocates Season 25 Production to Atlanta Amid California Tax Credit Disputes

Key points

• Fremantle confirmed that American Idol will relocate production to the Atlanta area for Season 25, which premieres in early 2027.
• Georgia’s tax incentive program offers up to a 30% credit for unscripted productions spending at least $500,000, a benefit California’s AB 1138 does not extend to this show.
• California’s recent tax credit expansion excludes traditional reality and game shows, frustrating producers who feel the new rules do not adequately support unscripted content.
• The move follows Fox’s relocation of The Masked Singer to New Jersey and ABC’s Shark Tank to Atlanta, signaling a broader exodus of unscripted TV from Los Angeles.
• FilmLA data indicates a 62.7% drop in unscripted production days in Los Angeles over the past five years, with a 40% year-over-year decline in the second quarter of 2026.

Background

American Idol was renewed for its 25th season in July 2026, marking its tenth season on ABC. The show previously filmed at Red Studios in Hollywood and introduced social voting and a Monday premiere schedule in its last season. This relocation follows a broader trend of major unscripted series leaving California due to competitive tax incentives in states like Georgia and New Jersey.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline and E! News emphasize the confirmed move to Atlanta and the potential return of the current judge panel. The Los Angeles Times highlights the economic impact on California, noting that while AB 1138 expanded credits, it excluded many unscripted formats, prompting producers to seek better incentives elsewhere. The New York Post focuses on the financial drivers, specifically Georgia’s 30% credit versus California’s restrictive eligibility requirements. All sources agree that this move is part of a larger decline in unscripted production in Los Angeles, with FilmLA data cited across outlets to illustrate the scale of the industry shift.

Why it matters

The relocation of a flagship unscripted series underscores the competitive pressure on California’s entertainment industry. It highlights the limitations of recent state tax credit expansions and the growing preference for jurisdictions with more inclusive incentives for reality and competition programming.

What to watch

Fremantle is in final talks with a studio complex in the Atlanta area, though a deal has not yet been signed. Auditions for Season 25 are currently underway in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The show is expected to premiere in the new year, with the judge panel and host Ryan Seacrest likely returning.