American Idol is leaving Hollywood behind after a long production run in California.
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American Idol is moving production from Los Angeles to the Atlanta, GA, area for its upcoming 25th season, Deadline reported.
Fremantle, which produces American Idol alongside Sony Pictures Television-backed 19 Entertainment, told Deadline about the move ahead of the show's Season 25 premiere in early 2027.
Fremantle is reportedly in final negotiations with a studio complex in the Atlanta area, although a deal has yet to be signed.
Georgia has become one of the country's biggest production hubs outside of Los Angeles and New York, hosting numerous major film and television projects over the years.
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One major reason American Idol is heading to Georgia is the state's production tax incentives. Georgia offers a tax credit of up to 30 percent to qualifying unscripted and reality-TV productions that spend at least $500,000 in the state.
American Idol's move comes as another major reality singing competition, The Masked Singer, is also leaving Los Angeles. Fox recently moved production of The Masked Singer's 15th season to New Jersey.
New Jersey also offers generous tax breaks to television productions, including reality shows, making it cheaper for shows like The Masked Singer to film there.
The departure of both American Idol and The Masked Singer represents another setback for reality TV production in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles has also seen a major decline in reality TV production in recent years. According to FilmLA data obtained by Deadline, unscripted shows spent 40 percent less time filming in the city this spring compared with last year -- and production has fallen nearly 63 percent over the past five years.
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California lawmakers expanded the state's film and television tax-credit program last year, making certain unscripted productions eligible for incentives for the first time.
However, only "large-scale competition shows" with a minimum budget of $1 million per episode qualify, while traditional reality shows remain excluded.
Although American Idol would seemingly meet the large-scale competition requirement, the show reportedly did not qualify for California's tax credit.
The production move marks the latest change for American Idol, which ABC renewed for Season 25 -- its 10th season on the network -- in July.
American Idol had already started venturing out of Hollywood by filming "Hollywood Week" last season in Nashville, TN.
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The show also introduced social voting, began streaming live on Disney+, and shifted to Monday nights after traditionally airing on Sundays.
Ryan Seacrest hosted the latest season of American Idol with Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie and Carrie Underwood serving as judges.
Luke, Lionel and Carrie are all reportedly expected to return for Season 25, although their contracts are still being finalized.