The glitz and glamour of Hollywood might be facing a reality check.
While Los Angeles has long been the heartbeat of the television industry, CBS executives are opening up about why it’s becoming harder and harder to keep the cameras rolling in the City of Angels.
During a press briefing for CBS’s – primetime lineup on Wednesday, the conversation shifted from plotlines to bottom lines. CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach and Paramount Chair of TV Media George Cheeks didn’t hold back when asked what it would take to bring more production back to Southern California.
The short answer? It’s all about the money.
“It ultimately is a studio decision because they are the ones that handle the budgets, but we want to find the right financial model for every show,” Reisenbach explained to reporters.
She noted that while the network loves the local vibe, the math has to add up. “When we can, and it makes sense to shoot in Los Angeles, we will,” she added.
Currently, CBS keeps a solid footprint in the area with fan-favorites like Matlock, NCIS, and the prequel series NCIS: Origins all filming locally. There is even a glimmer of hope for a new hometown hit: the network has a highly anticipated project starring Friends alum Matt LeBlanc, titled Flint, in development.
If Flint gets the green light for a full series, executives confirmed it is slated to shoot in L.A. However, for future projects, the road to Hollywood is looking a bit more complicated.
George Cheeks emphasized that the network is eager to support the local economy, but they are hitting a wall. “We want to shoot [here] as much as possible, but we do have a financial model that we have to hit,” he said.
Cheeks is calling for a major shift in how the industry is supported at a legislative level. He pointed to the need for a federal tax credit and significant “amplifications” to California’s existing tax incentives to stay competitive with other filming hubs.
Specifically, Cheeks noted that California’s rivals—like New York, Georgia, and New Mexico—offer tax credits that cover “above-the-line” costs (which include the salaries of stars, directors, and producers). Until California follows suit, the Golden State might continue to lose its luster for big-budget studios.
The numbers back up the concern. According to a recent report from ProdPro, California saw a percent decline in filming during the first quarter of .
Even more startling are the stats from local film office FilmLA. Between and , scripted television shoot days on city soundstages plummeted by percent. By the end of , on-location shoot days for TV were down more than percent compared to the five-year average.
For a city built on the magic of the movies, the silence on local sets is getting louder.
“We have to continue to press for federal tax credit as well and to press for even greater improvements on the California credit as well,” Cheeks urged. “It’s important.”
As the industry looks toward the – season, fans are left wondering if their favorite stars will be filming in their own backyards or heading to more budget-friendly horizons. One thing is for sure: CBS is ready to keep L.A. in the frame—if the price is right.
