“American Idol,” is packing up its stars after 25 years in Hollywood.
In the latest blow to Los Angeles film production, ABC’s long-running program will move production of its upcoming season to the Atlanta area, according to Fremantle, which produces the show with 19 Entertainment, owned by Sony Pictures Television.
Fremantle declined to comment further.
The move comes as Los Angeles’ production levels have tumbled, prompting concern from film workers, unions leaders and elected officials who are scrambling to address the crisis.
Local television production is down 27% compared to 2025, according to the nonprofit FilmLA. The agency attributed the decline to fewer reality television shoots in the region.
Earlier this year, another broadcast TV stalwart, Fox’s “The Masked Singer,” made plans to vacate its space on the Fox lot on Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles and head to New Jersey, also in search of more lucrative tax credits.
“American Idol” has been a local economic engine since launching on Fox in 2002. For years, the show ranked as the No. 1 show on TV and employed hundreds of workers each season as aspiring singers hoped for their big break.
The most recent season originated from Red Studios in Hollywood.
Georgia, which has also been struggling from lower production levels, offers generous tax incentives, including up to a 30% tax credit for reality television productions that spend at least $500,000 in the state.
FilmLA said that over the last five years, reality productions have plummeted nearly 63%.
ABC in late July announced the show was returning, marking its 10th season on the Walt Disney Co. network. Producers are auditioning potential contestants this week during stops in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
ABC declined to comment on the move.
Ryan Seacrest has long hosted the show, which last season featured Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood as the celebrity judges.
Deadline first reported the planned move to Georgia.
Game shows are also leaving L.A. A growing number of programs long based around Hollywood and New York have headed across the ocean to Ireland and Britain to take advantage of tax credits to bring down the cost of production as broadcast network executives contend with shrinking audiences and lower profit margins.
Fox currently has several prime-time game shows produced overseas, including “The Floor,” “Celebrity Name That Tune” and “Beat Shazam.
Staff writer Stephen Battaglio contributed to this report.
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