California is rolling out the red carpet once again for Hollywood productions, as Apple TV+’s The Studio and a new HBO series from Larry David headline the first round of subsidies under the state’s newly expanded film and television tax credit program.
The California Film Commission announced Wednesday that 22 television projects will receive a combined $256 million in incentives, part of a historic expansion designed to woo productions back to the Golden State after years of aggressive competition from other regions. According to state officials, the approved projects are projected to generate $1.1 billion in economic activity, employing roughly 6,500 cast and crew members and hiring 46,100 background performers. Much of the production is expected to take place in Los Angeles, a region where entertainment workers have been grappling with steep job shortages in the aftermath of the dual writers and actors strikes.
One of the most significant aspects of the program’s expansion is the dramatic increase in the annual funding cap, which has nearly doubled from $330 million to $750 million. This change marks California’s strongest financial commitment yet to retaining its role as the global entertainment hub and signals a determination to compete directly with rival states and countries that have been aggressively targeting Hollywood projects.
Another major shift is the introduction of a higher base tax credit of 35 percent. This boost puts California among the most competitive production markets in the world and is expected to serve as a key incentive for producers weighing whether to keep their projects local or move them elsewhere. By offering a larger financial cushion, the state is making it more cost-effective for studios and networks to take advantage of its experienced crews, established infrastructure, and world-class talent base.
The expanded program also broadens the range of eligible productions, which now includes shorter television series, sitcoms, animated programming, and large-scale competition shows. This inclusivity represents a deliberate effort to capture the diversity of today’s entertainment landscape, ensuring that California benefits not just from big-budget dramas but also from the types of shows that dominate streaming platforms and capture wide-ranging audiences.
Among the first beneficiaries of the newly expanded credit are several high-profile productions. Dan Fogelman, the acclaimed creator of This Is Us, will bring a new 20th Television drama to California, ensuring his next project is rooted in the same state where much of his previous work has thrived. Warner Bros. Television’s Presumed Innocent, based on Scott Turow’s bestselling legal thriller, is also set to film locally, promising to bring both prestige and jobs to the region.
Other notable recipients include Sony Pictures Television’s SWAT Exiles, a continuation of the action-driven franchise, as well as two major titles from CBS Studios — NCIS: Origins, a prequel to one of television’s longest-running and most successful dramas, and Group Chat, a fresh addition to the network’s growing slate. Rounding out the list is a new pilot from Kenya Barris, produced with 20th Television, which underscores the program’s impact on both established and innovative storytellers.
“As an L.A. native, I feel lucky to have been able to shoot so many projects here throughout my career and love that we’ll be able to continue spotlighting our incredible city, its people, and the culture,” Barris said in a statement. “Not only does this credit allow us to work with the best crews and craftspeople around but, more importantly, it allows us to create jobs and support the L.A. film community at a time when it’s more important than ever.”
By bolstering its funding, raising credit percentages, and widening eligibility, California is sending a clear message to the industry: the state intends not only to preserve its legacy as the birthplace of Hollywood but also to reclaim productions that have been lured away by other regions. With big-name creators like Fogelman, Barris, and David already on board, the expanded program is poised to reestablish Los Angeles as the beating heart of film and television production.
