NEW YORK, October 16, 2026 — New York’s movie and TV production spend surged 87% to $1.61 billion in the latest quarter, closing the gap with California’s $1.76 billion, according to industry tracker ProdPro.
New York’s Spending Surge
By the numbers, New York’s production spend jumped significantly. The state recorded $1.61 billion in the quarter, a massive 87% increase. California held onto the top spot with $1.76 billion, but its growth was slower at 17%. The bottom line: the difference is now just $147 million. “California’s production spending is starting to rise again, but New York’s rebound has accelerated this year, putting it within reach of the country’s largest production hub,” said Alex LoVerde, co-founder and CEO at ProdPro.
Infrastructure and Projects Drive Momentum
New York’s growth is fueled by expanded soundstage infrastructure and a large base of union crew members. Soundstage capacity in the state has grown 43% since 2020, according to real estate services giant CBRE. This season, the state hosts major series like ‘CIA,’ ‘FBI,’ and ‘Elsbeth’ (CBS), alongside NBC’s ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’ and long-running staples ‘Law and Order’ and ‘Law and Order: SVU’. Filming in the city was equally bustling in October, with crews working on Apple TV’s Ben Stiller-led comedy ‘Protective Custody,’ A24’s romantic drama ‘Deep Cuts,’ and the Kit Connor true-crime film ‘PREPPY’.
Shift from California
California is losing long-term scripted series, while New York is gaining them. The Golden State still leads with 80 live-action film and TV projects shot in the quarter, per ProdPro. However, New York offers easier access to neighboring Tri-State locations, attracting productions like Universal Pictures’ ‘Miami Vice: 85,’ filming in New York and Wayne, New Jersey. Major media giants are solidifying long-term stakes in the East. Netflix is constructing its East Coast production hub at the former Fort Monmouth site, and Paramount secured a 10-year lease to anchor Bayonne’s in-development 1888 Studios.
Future Prospects
Whether New York can overtake California remains a key question. “As we compiled the third-quarter figures, we thought New York might actually come out ahead. California held its lead by just $147 million. Whether New York can overtake it is a key question we’ll be watching in Q4 and 2027,” LoVerde stated. California officials, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, are pledging to reduce red tape and curb production flight to retain studios. The state recently finalized the $111 billion Warner Bros. acquisition by David Ellison, who aims to ramp up production on existing L.A. lots.
Tax Incentives Fuel Growth
New York’s production boom is bolstered by its competitive tax incentive program, which has attracted major studios seeking cost-effective filming locations. The state offers a refundable tax credit of up to 30% for qualified production expenses, a key factor in drawing productions like Universal Pictures’ ‘Miami Vice: 85’ to film in New York and Wayne, New Jersey. This financial incentive, combined with expanded infrastructure and union labor availability, has made New York an increasingly attractive alternative to California for long-term scripted series and feature films.
California’s Declining Dominance
According to Alex LoVerde, co-founder and CEO at ProdPro, “California’s production spending is starting to rise again, but New York’s rebound has accelerated this year, putting it within reach of the country’s largest production hub.” This shift is evident in the number of live-action film and TV projects shot in each state, with California leading at 80 projects, but New York gaining ground.
California is increasingly losing long-term scripted series, while New York is gaining them, with the state hosting major series like ‘CIA,’ ‘FBI,’ and ‘Elsbeth’ (CBS), alongside NBC’s ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’ and long-running staples ‘Law & Order’ and ‘Law & Order: SVU’.
Gov. Gavin Newsom and his office, along with state and local officials in Los Angeles, are pledging to reduce red tape, curb production flight, and keep studios in Burbank and Hollywood, in an effort to retain California’s position as a top production hub.
Sources
- New York Poised to Overtake California as Top State for Movie and TV Production
- LA to be dethroned as movie and TV production capital — by an East Coast state
- Getty Images to File for Bankruptcy, Go Private in Restructuring Deal
Photo: Dllu (CC BY-SA 4.0)
