‘American Idol’ Is Making a Huge Change for Season 25

American Idol is reportedly making a major change for Season 25 of the show, which is set to air on ABC next year. Contestants will no longer be receiving tickets to Hollywood, because the show’s production is moving away from California.

American Idol to Move Production to Georgia

For years, American Idol and Hollywood have been synonymous. The infamous Hollywood Week, a high-pressure round following auditions, has narrowed down the competition each season. The judges even have a catchphrase when awarding singers a golden ticket: “You’re going to Hollywood!”

However, that’s all about to change in Season 25 of the show. Deadline reports that, according to Fremantle, American Idol is moving production from Los Angeles to Atlanta, Georgia. The company is reportedly in final talks for a studio complex in the area.

This newly announced move across the country is likely for financial reasons. According to Deadline, Georgia offers a 30 percent tax credit for unscripted television productions which spend at least $500,000 in the state.

In California, tax credits are now only available to “large-scale competition shows” with a minimum budget of $1 million per episode. American Idol, as well as several other unscripted shows, apparently did not qualify for this tax credit.

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The Masked Singer Is Also Leaving California

American Idol isn’t the only talent show moving its production out of California. FOX’s The Masked Singer is also leaving Los Angeles, with Season 15 of the show set to film in East Rutherford, New Jersey — not far from Manhattan.

Both Season 25 of American Idol and Season 15 of The Masked Singer are set to premiere in early 2027. Official premiere dates have yet to be announced for either show, and the judges have not yet been confirmed.

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What do you think about the news that Idol is moving production to Georgia next season? Let us know in the comments below.