Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Mar. 18 that 16 television projects have been approved for the latest round of California Film & Television Tax Credit Program awards. For the first time, animated and competition shows are included among the recipients, with projects expected to generate $871 million in qualified in-state spending and support thousands of jobs across California.
The expansion of eligible categories is intended to further strengthen California’s entertainment industry and provide more job opportunities for residents. Newsom said, “California’s creative economy isn’t just part of who we are — it helps power this state forward. From the folks on the soundstage to the people designing the sets, these are jobs that anchor communities. I’m pleased to expand this award to animated and competition shows, helping advance the strongest entertainment economy in the nation and bringing even more good-paying jobs to California.”
The selected projects include new series, returning hit shows, productions filming on certified soundstages, as well as three animated or competition series expected to create over 700 cast and crew jobs. Colleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission, said, “Including new eligible categories in our tax credit program, such as animation and competition shows, creates even more opportunities for the talented cast, crew and small businesses across our state.”
Among those awarded are President Curtis (Adult Swim) and STEWIE (20th Television Animation), a Family Guy spinoff. Dan Harmon, creator of President Curtis, said his team is “thrilled to be recognized by the California Film Commission’s Tax Credit Program as its first animated series,” adding that it will help prevent outsourcing and allow hiring more Los Angeles-based talent. The first-ever competition show recipient is SCHOOLED!, produced by Mark Rober and Jimmy Kimmel. Kimmel said they are “grateful to be the first competition series selected by the California Film Commission,” while Rober added that producing in California will inspire future engineers.
Returning series include Season 3 of The Pitt (Parallax), which has received multiple awards this season. John Wells and Noah Wyle stated their appreciation for being able to produce locally: “Being able to produce the show on the Warner Bros. Lot in Burbank… underscores the value of the California production incentive program.” Other returning productions include High Potential (20th Television) and one relocating series expected to bring $129 million in expenditures.
Four projects were also approved under California’s Soundstage Tax Credit Program supporting studio infrastructure statewide. Rachel Sennott and Emma Barrie from I Love LA highlighted how filming locally enables them “to showcase the city we love and create meaningful jobs.” Since its start in 2009, California’s tax credit program has generated over $30.6 billion in economic activity according to the official website.
Newsom was elected as California’s 40th governor in 2018 according to his official biography. He was born in San Francisco in 1967 according to official records, attended Redwood High School and Santa Clara University as reported by his office, directed marriage licenses for same-sex couples while mayor according to state sources, engaged with communities statewide according to his official website, and is married with four children as noted by state officials.
