Stars Pack Up AGT as Show Eyes Georgia Over California

**America’s Got Talent Faces Possible Exit from California as Rival Shows Shift Locations**

America’s Got Talent (AGT) may soon leave California after reports surfaced that the NBC franchise is weighing a move to either Georgia or Tennessee.

The possibility follows a wave of relocations by other long‑running reality competitions, most notably American Idol’s planned shift to Georgia and The Masked Singer’s 2023 move to New Jersey. No definitive decision has yet been announced, but the prospect threatens to further erode California’s status as a hub for unscripted television.

## Background & Context

The AGT franchise, created by Simon Cowell and executive produced with Sam Donnelly and Natasha Brugler, has spent 21 seasons filming at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. This historic venue has hosted music icons such as Ella Fitzgerald, Bob Dylan, and Bob Hope, and was also the site of The Motown 25th Anniversary Television Special.

AGT’s production has traditionally benefited from California’s film and television tax credit system, expanded in 2022 by the passage of AB 1138 to include certain unscripted productions.

However, the expanded credits apply only to “large‑scale competition shows” with a minimum budget of $1 million , a threshold that many AGT competitors have struggled to meet.

The state offers up to a 30 % tax credit for unscripted and reality television productions that spend at least $500,000 in California. This incentive has helped keep shows like AGT and Dancing with the Stars filming locally for years.

Yet, , American Idol did not qualify under the new guidelines, prompting its upcoming move to Georgia, where the state provides a 30 % credit for similar productions.

## What People Are Saying

Industry insiders in Los Angeles have voiced concerns that AGT’s potential departure could ripple through the local economy. Many fear a domino effect might prompt other high‑profile unscripted programs—such as Dancing with the Stars and The Voice—to follow suit.

Despite these worries, Fremantle, the production company behind both AGT and American Idol, is familiar with the logistics of relocation. The network’s prior experience with Idol’s transition to Georgia gives it a template for navigating a similar shift for AGT.

Local producers emphasize the importance of retaining major shows in California. The loss of AGT would not only mean fewer jobs for crew and talent but also a reduction in ancillary spending at nearby restaurants, hotels, and vendors that have long relied on the show’s presence.

While no official statements from AGT’s producers are available, industry chatter suggests that the network is still evaluating the financial benefits of staying versus moving.

## What Happens Next

, Fremantle and Simon Cowell’s Syco are reportedly considering relocating the NBC show to either Georgia or Tennessee. The decision hinges on state tax incentives, production logistics, and contractual obligations for Season 22.

The network has not yet confirmed a final destination, and reports circulating online indicate that the discussion is still in early stages.

Meanwhile, AGT is in its final week of Season 22, with the first part of the finale airing tonight and the second part scheduled for Wednesday, September 22. Hosted by Terry Crews and judged by Howie Mandel, Mel B, Sofia Vergara, and Cowell himself, the series continues to draw significant viewership from California’s studios.

Whether the finale will be filmed in Pasadena or a new state remains unknown, as the production team awaits a formal decision from Fremantle and NBC.

AGT’s future in California is uncertain as other unscripted competitions have already set precedents by moving out of state for tax and logistical advantages. The industry will be watching closely to see whether the show remains a flagship of California television or joins its competitors in a new location.