Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Mar. 18 that 16 television projects have been approved for the latest round of California Film & Television Tax Credit Program awards. For the first time, animated and competition shows are included among the recipients, with projects expected to generate $871 million in qualified in-state spending and create thousands of jobs across California.
The expansion of eligible categories is intended to support a wider range of creative formats and increase job opportunities within the state’s entertainment industry. The program aims to employ an estimated 4,500 cast and crew members as well as over 50,000 background performers during approximately 1,200 filming days statewide.
“California’s creative economy isn’t just part of who we are — it helps power this state forward. From the folks on the soundstage to the people designing the sets, these are jobs that anchor communities. I’m pleased to expand this award to animated and competition shows, helping advance the strongest entertainment economy in the nation and bringing even more good-paying jobs to California,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
Colleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission, said: “Including new eligible categories in our tax credit program, such as animation and competition shows, creates even more opportunities for the talented cast, crew and small businesses across our state. Additionally, our Soundstage Tax Credit Program has served to add another pathway for productions to benefit from California’s incentives while strengthening our world class production infrastructure.”
Among this year’s selected projects are President Curtis (Adult Swim) and STEWIE (20th Television Animation), a Family Guy spinoff. Dan Harmon, creator of President Curtis, said: “We are thrilled to be recognized by the California Film Commission’s Tax Credit Program as its first animated series. Our crew is the best in the business, and the Tax Credit Program will allow us to prevent outsourcing and hire more Los Angeles-based talent.” The competition show SCHOOLED!, produced by Mark Rober and Jimmy Kimmel, also received an award. Kimmel said: “We are grateful to be the first competition series selected by the California Film Commission to receive tax credits in California…we are proud to create jobs and produce fun, educational programming that does just that right here in our beautiful state.” Rober added: “Huge shoutout to the California Film Commission for helping make SCHOOLED! possible right here in my home state of California…We’re gonna inspire the next generation of engineers and problem solvers. Let’s go!”
Returning series include Season 3 of The Pitt (Parallax), which has received multiple awards including Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor Noah Wyle and Supporting Actress Katherine LaNasa. John Wells (executive producer) and Wyle said: “We’re thrilled to produce The Pitt right here in California…Being able to produce the show on the Warner Bros. Lot in Burbank…underscores the value of the California production incentive program.” High Potential (20th Television) will also return for another season.
Four projects were approved under California’s Soundstage Tax Credit Program supporting expanded studio infrastructure statewide. Rachel Sennott and Emma Barrie from I Love LA said: “The California Soundstage Program is a huge boost to our show…It enables us to showcase the city we love and create meaningful jobs and new opportunities.” Universal City Studios now has 23 certified soundstages; Paramount Pictures and The Ranch at Warner Bros. have 16 each.
The tax credit program was recently expanded from $330 million up to $750 million annually by Governor Newsom earlier this year. Since its start in 2009 it has generated over $30 billion in economic activity supporting more than 228,000 cast and crew jobs statewide.
Newsom was elected as California’s 40th governor in 2018 according to his official website. He was born in San Francisco in 1967 according to his official website and attended Redwood High School before graduating from Santa Clara University according to his official website. Newsom is married with four children according to his official website, has engaged with communities across California promoting unity according to his official website, and previously directed issuance of marriage licenses for same-sex couples while serving as mayor according to his official website.
