As filming in L.A. decreases, the U.K. sees gains, new report says

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A recent report shows that while fewer scripted TV shows and movies are being filmed in Los Angeles, production in the U.K. is on the rise.

According to FilmLA, a group that monitors filming activity in Los Angeles, there were 157 scripted TV and film projects shot in the area last year. This is a 14.2% decrease from the number filmed in 2023.

This report refers to ‘scripted projects’ as any television show – whether it’s on streaming services, cable, or traditional broadcast channels – and also includes made-for-TV movies and films released in theaters or on streaming platforms.

The decline in scripted TV shows last year was largely due to the writers’ and actors’ strikes of 2023, which halted many productions. Additionally, studios had reduced their spending after investing heavily in content for their streaming services. In total, 857 scripted shows were released in 2024, a 13.4% decrease from the previous year.

Hollywood Inc.

Popular TV shows like ‘Baywatch’ and ‘Mr. and Mrs. Smith’ are moving their production to California after previously filming elsewhere.

Los Angeles saw a small decrease in its share of scripted television and film production last year. In 2024, 18.3% of these projects were filmed in the L.A. area, down slightly from 18.5% the year before. Back in 2022, Los Angeles accounted for 21.9% of all scripted production.

According to FilmLA’s Philip Sokoloski, this study mostly confirms what people working in California’s film industry already know: fewer film projects are being made in Los Angeles now compared to recent years.

Los Angeles remains the dominant location for scripted television and film production. However, other areas, such as the U.K., are experiencing significant growth in the number of projects being filmed there.

As a huge film and TV fan, I was really interested to read that the U.K. saw a massive boom in scripted TV production last year! A total of 39 series were filmed there, which is a whopping 77.2% increase from 2023. What’s even more striking is that while the U.K. was thriving, other popular filming destinations like Georgia, New York, and parts of Canada actually saw a decrease in production. It’s great to see the U.K. becoming such a hub for television!

Filming in the U.K. grew significantly for streaming series—increasing by 81.3% to 29 shows—and for cable shows, which rose by 66.7% to 10 series. Streaming movie production also increased by 23.1%, reaching 16 films. However, the number of theatrical movie productions in the U.K. decreased by 38.5% to 16 films.

Last year, Los Angeles hosted the production of 77 scripted TV series, which was a 26.7% drop from the previous year, according to the report. This decrease was seen across all platforms: streaming series fell by 24.5% to 37 shows, cable series dropped significantly by 57.7% to 11 shows, and broadcast series experienced a small decline of 3.3% to 29 shows.

Los Angeles saw an increase in film production last year. The number of movies made for theaters rose by 19% to 25 films, and streaming films jumped by a significant 70.6% to 29 films. However, the number of original TV movies filmed in the area decreased by 35% to 26 films.

FilmLA’s report explained that the recent improvements to California’s film and TV tax credit program won’t show up in filming statistics until next year. Hollywood studios, unions, and industry professionals had strongly advocated for more funding and broader eligibility for the program, arguing that productions leaving the state were costing local jobs.

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2025-11-25 23:32