American Idol is preparing for a major production change ahead of Season 25. After more than two decades in Hollywood, the long-running singing competition is moving its production to a new state for its upcoming season.
American Idol is moving production to Georgia
According to Deadline, American Idol is leaving Los Angeles and relocating production to Atlanta, Georgia. Fremantle, the company behind the show, confirmed the move but has not provided a specific reason for the change.
The relocation comes as television and film production in Los Angeles has declined, with various projects moving to other states. Fremantle is reportedly negotiating with a studio complex in Atlanta and could finalize an agreement soon.
Georgia has become an attractive location for television and film productions because of its tax incentives. The state reportedly provides an estimated 30% tax credit for reality television and unscripted productions when companies spend at least $500,000 on a project. Those incentives are considered to be a major factor in American Idol’s move.
California, meanwhile, currently limits its tax credits to large-scale competition series with budgets of at least $1 million. Unscripted productions were also only recently added to the state’s tax credit program.
Season 25 is expected to premiere in early 2027. Season 24 premiered in January and concluded in May, with Hannah Harper taking the title. Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood and Luke Bryan served as judges during the most recent season and are expected to return for Season 25.
Host Ryan Seacrest is also expected to return as host. American Idol is not the only major unscripted series to move production away from California. The Masked Singer, another major singing competition, relocated its production from California to New Jersey under Fox.
