LOS ANGELES — After more than two decades based in Hollywood, American Idol is packing up and heading to Georgia. Producer Fremantle confirmed the series will film its upcoming Season 25 in the Atlanta area.
The move marks a significant blow to Los Angeles reality television production, which has already seen declines in recent years. Georgia offers up to a 30 percent tax credit for qualifying unscripted productions that spend at least $500,000 in the state — incentives that proved more attractive than California’s updated program.
What Changes for Fans and Contestants
Host Ryan Seacrest, a Georgia native, and the current judging panel of Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie are expected to return, though final deals remain in progress. Auditions for Season 25 are already underway through the Idol Across America search.
The iconic "you’re going to Hollywood" moment will take on a new meaning as Hollywood Week itself relocates. The series is set to premiere in early 2027 on ABC, with episodes streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
American Idol leaves its longtime Los Angeles home for Atlanta, becoming the latest major unscripted series drawn by Georgia’s production incentives.
Industry observers note the relocation follows similar moves by other music competition shows and underscores ongoing challenges for California’s production sector despite recent legislative efforts to expand tax credits.
Shivam Das covers entertainment for Shivam Das News.
