American Idol flees California for Georgia's cheaper pastures

American Idol, the long-running competition show, is relocating from California to Georgia, as reported by Deadline. The decision comes after fellow reality show The Masked Singer moved to New Jersey in May. The move is due to Georgia's more production-friendly tax credits, which can reach up to 30% for unscripted and reality television productions that spend at least $500,000 in the state.

American Idol, which has been in Hollywood for 24 years, will conclude its 24th season there. Fremantle, the show's producer with Sony Pictures Television’s 19 Entertainment, confirmed the decision. The Masked Singer had also moved to New Jersey earlier this year due to another generous tax break. California has been struggling to maintain its status as the entertainment production capital, with Paramount/Skydance-Warner Bros. merger lawsuits pending.

While California recently expanded its tax incentives for reality programming, it appears insufficient to retain American Idol. The show will continue to search for the most talented singers in the country, with the current judges Lionel Richie, Luke Bryan, and Carrie Underwood still up for return negotiations.