‘American Idol’ Leaving Los Angeles After 24 Seasons

American Idol is packing up and leaving California for its upcoming 25th season.

On Tuesday, Sept. 15, Hollywood trade TheWrap confirmed the ABC singing competition is moving production to Atlanta, dealing another blow to Los Angeles.

Fremantle produces the series with Sony Pictures Television-backed company 19 Entertainment. Producers are reportedly close to signing a lease at a studio facility in the Atlanta area.

Ryan Seacrest hosts the show. Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and Lionel Richie make up the judges panel.

The departure is the latest major loss of work for Southern California production crews. Hotels, transportation services, wardrobe suppliers, restaurants and catering companies that serve American Idol will also suffer losses.

Georgia offers eligible productions a tax credit of up to 30% if they spend at least $500,000 in the state, according to the Georgia Department of Revenue.

California recently expanded its tax credit program to include reality productions, but the Hollywood trades reported Idol did not qualify for the state’s incentives.

Season 25 of the music competition series is expected to premiere in early 2027, after crowning Missouri singer Hannah Harper its season 24 winner in May.

Idol launched on Fox in 2002, and moved to ABC in 2018. Previous winners include Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, Caleb Johnson, Just Sam, and Jamal Roberts.

The show joins a growing list of productions leaving Los Angeles, where filming costs continue to rise, prompting scripted programs, games shows and reality shows to move to other states and sometimes other countries.

Last month, the Los Angeles City Council established a committee on film, entertainment and the creative industry to address the production exodus.

Councilman Adrin Nazarian chairs the committee alongside Councilwomen Traci Park and Imelda Padilla.

“We live in a time where families across Los Angeles are getting financially squeezed, and at the same time, Hollywood jobs are leaving the city. We’ve done enough talking about that threat, and now it’s time for action,” Nazarian said at the committee’s first meeting on Sept. 9, according to MyNewsLA.

The Los Angeles Times reported last month that Hollywood has lost about 57,000 jobs in the past four years and more than 80 film and television production services businesses have closed since 2022.

The entertainment industry supports more than 200,000 jobs in the Los Angeles area, according to the city’s Department of Public Works.

The region also draws visitors each year to attractions like the Hollywood Sign, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Universal Studios, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, award shows and film festivals.