Seventeen television projects have been selected to receive awards through California’s Film and Television Tax Credit Program, Governor Gavin Newsom announced. These projects are expected to generate $1.2 billion in economic activity across the state. With this round, the total economic impact from the first two TV windows of Program 4.0 exceeds $2.5 billion, supporting efforts to retain and expand California’s entertainment workforce.
Governor 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. And when we make smart investments like our film tax credit, we’re keeping talent here at home, supporting good-paying union jobs, and strengthening an industry that defines the California brand. I’m proud to see the return of Baywatch where it belongs — on sunny California shores, creating jobs and fueling the very entertainment economy that sets this state apart.”
The latest round is projected to employ about 5,165 cast and crew members as well as 35,946 background performers (measured in days worked) over approximately 1,000 filming days statewide. Qualified in-state spending for these projects will reach $902 million, including $487 million in wages.
Colleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission, stated: “California continues to prove that when we invest in our creative workforce, the industry invests right back in us. These series aren’t just coming home, they’re bringing thousands of jobs, hundreds of millions in wages, and long-term economic value to our state. The momentum we’re seeing is exactly what this program was designed to deliver.”
Several shows are relocating production from other states or countries back to California under this program. Among them are The Night Agent season 4, Mr. and Mrs. Smith season 2, and Baywatch’s twelfth season returning to film along California’s coastlines. Together these three productions will provide nearly 1,000 jobs for local cast and crew with $116 million allocated for qualified wages.
Rob Wade, CEO of FOX Entertainment said: “It’s been incredibly rewarding to work alongside our partners at the California Film Commission to create an economically sustainable path for keeping a production like Baywatch – so spectacularly tied to this great city and state – right here in Los Angeles… This collaboration between government and entertainment truly shows what’s possible when we work together to support local jobs and economic growth while showcasing the stunning California coast for audiences around the world.”
Matt Nix, Executive Producer and Showrunner for Baywatch added: “I’m excited and honored to be running this iconic show… I wanted to be a part of bringing filming back to California and showing the beauty and possibility of this incredible place… Baywatch was born in Los Angeles. I’m so glad we can bring it home again.”
Christian Vesper from Fremantle commented: “Baywatch has long been a valued part of Fremantle’s portfolio… We are thrilled to receive support from the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program… Being allowed to bring this next chapter home where it belongs is very exciting.”
Returning series such as Fallout (Amazon), Blood Ties (Imani Media Group), Lot Patrol (Imani Media Group), and Forever (Netflix) also received awards in this round. Fallout’s third season alone will involve $166.3 million in qualified spending—an increase over its previous season.
Jonathan Nolan, Director/Producer of Fallout season 3 remarked: “California has always dreamed in cinema… We are incredibly proud to be shooting here and investing that money back into the place that gave so many of us our start…”
Mara Brock Akil of Forever said: “I’ve been part of California’s film incentive program since its inception… Working with world-class crews while keeping jobs in my community– that’s not just filmmaking; that’s legacy.”
Producer Manny Halley noted: “Our continued partnership with the California Film Commission allows us to keep our film and television productions in the state…we now have four TV series so 2026 will be a busy year for us…”
Additionally, four new television series and two pilots were selected along with two new NBC Universal series under a separate soundstage tax credit initiative—The Paper and Dig—which together expect more than 2,200 hires totaling $136 million in qualified wages over more than 345 filming days.
Earlier this year Governor Newsom expanded funding for these incentives from $330 million annually up to $750 million per year while introducing updates aimed at retaining production activity within California.
Since launching in 2009, California’s Film & Television Tax Credit Program has generated over $30 billion in economic output statewide while supporting more than 228,000 cast-and-crew positions.
More information about eligibility criteria or application procedures can be found at www.film.ca.gov.
