American Idol' Relocates to Atlanta, Sparking Local Production Worries
WHO:
Variety - “American Idol” is produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment.
Rolling Stone Music - The show has been a long-running singing competition.
WHAT:
US Magazine - Production company Fremantle is “in final talks with a studio complex” in the Atlanta area for the upcoming Season 25 of "American Idol."
The Hollywood Reporter - The production of "American Idol" will be relocated to the Atlanta area.
The Hollywood Reporter - Season 24 of "American Idol" had a 16-episode run.
The Hollywood Reporter - Georgia's film office reported 280 productions filmed in-state over the last fiscal year.
The Hollywood Reporter - In the second quarter of 2026, Georgia saw $405 million in production spending, down 40 percent year-over-year.
The Hollywood Reporter - California saw $1.3 billion in production spending in the latest quarter, up about 5 percent year-over-year.
Variety - “American Idol” will move its production from Los Angeles to Georgia.
Rolling Stone Music - The upcoming Season 25 of “American Idol” will be produced in a new location.
WHERE:
Variety - The production will relocate to Atlanta, Georgia.
Rolling Stone Music - The show has been broadcast live from Los Angeles since its inception.
WHEN:
Rolling Stone Music - The upcoming Season 25 will take place in the future.
WHY:
The Hollywood Reporter - California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that increased the cap on film and television tax incentives from $330 million to $750 million a year.
Billboard - The move is described as the latest blow to Los Angeles, which has experienced an exodus of productions seeking more lucrative tax credits in other locations.
Variety - The move is indicative of concerns regarding the state of local production in Los Angeles.
HOW:
The Hollywood Reporter - Local officials in Los Angeles, including Mayor Karen Bass, are working to cut red tape and bolster incentives for the production industry.
Variety - The decision to relocate was made by ABC and the production companies involved.
(UPDATED September 16, 2026 22:02 UTC)
Production company Fremantle is in final talks with a studio complex in the Atlanta area for the upcoming Season 25 of "American Idol." This move signals a significant step forward in the show's preparations as it gears up for another exciting season. Fans can look forward to more details as the negotiations progress.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 14:00 UTC)
In a significant shift for the entertainment industry, the production of "American Idol" will be relocated to the Atlanta area, following a season 24 run that featured 16 episodes. Meanwhile, Georgia's film office reported a total of 280 productions filmed in the state over the last fiscal year, although production spending in the second quarter of 2026 dropped to $405 million, a 40 percent decline from the previous year. In contrast, California's production spending rose to $1.3 billion in the latest quarter, thanks in part to Governor Gavin Newsom signing a bill that increased the cap on film and television tax incentives from $330 million to $750 million a year, while local officials in Los Angeles are working to streamline processes and enhance incentives for the industry.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 13:07 UTC)
Los Angeles is facing another setback as productions continue to leave the area in search of more attractive tax credits elsewhere. This latest development has been highlighted by Billboard, emphasizing the ongoing challenges the city faces in retaining its film and television industry. As productions seek better financial incentives, the impact on Los Angeles's entertainment landscape is becoming increasingly significant.
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(UPDATED September 16, 2026 02:25 UTC)
“American Idol,” the long-running singing competition produced by Fremantle and 19 Entertainment, is set to move its production from Los Angeles to Atlanta, Georgia, for its upcoming Season 25. This decision, made by ABC and the production companies, reflects concerns about the state of local production in Los Angeles. The show has been broadcast live from Los Angeles since its inception, making this relocation a significant change for the series.