Animated Series and Reality Competition Shows Receive California Tax Credits for the First Time

California is still working hard to see the fruits of the additional funding to its Film & Television Tax Credit Program. As part of the latest round of qualified productions shooting in the state, California is for the first time making animated series and reality competition series eligible for credits.

16 TV projects on Wednesday were announced to receive benefits for shooting in the state of California as part of the first round of credits for the year. Among them are some returning series, including “The Pitt,” “I Love LA,” “High Potential,” and “Rooster.” But three new shows also received credits, marking the first time animated or competition shows got the privilege. Those series are Seth McFarlane’s “Family Guy” spinoff series “Stewie” (20th Television) and Dan Harmon’s “President Curtis” (Adult Swim). “Schooled!,” a competition series executive produced by Jimmy Kimmel and from creator Mark Robel is also the first competition show to receive the tax credits reward.

The shows are expected to generate $1.3 billion in statewide economic activity and employ more than 4,500 cast and crew, and 50,687 background performers. The California Film Commission says it represents $871 million in qualified in-state spending, $489 million in qualified wages, and thousands of California jobs over an estimated 1,200 filming days.

California also now offers a tax credit for shooting on qualified soundstages within the state, and the idea is to support more long-term studio infrastructure and production capacity. Three of the shows approved for this round of tax credits are Warner Bros. TV productions, including “Rooster” and two new series, “I Suck At Girls” and “How to Survive Without Me.” The fourth series to qualify is HBO’s “I Love LA.”

“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,” said Colleen Bell, Director of the California Film Commission. “Additionally, our Soundstage Tax Credit Program has served to add another pathway for productions to benefit from California’s incentives while strengthening our world class production infrastructure.”

“California’s creative economy isn’t just part of who we are — it helps power this state forward,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “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.”

“Stewie,” “President Curtis,” and “Schooled!” alone should generate over 700 cast and crew jobs and $46 million in qualified in-state spending.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by the California Film Commission’s Tax Credit Program as its first animated series,” said Dan Harmon, creator, writer, and producer of “President Curtis.” “Our crew is the best in the business, and the Tax Credit Program will allow us to prevent outsourcing and hire more Los Angeles-based talent.”

“We are grateful to be the first competition series selected by the California Film Commission to receive tax credits in California,” said Jimmy Kimmel, executive producer of “Schooled!” “Mark Rober’s goal is to teach students about science and engineering, and we are proud to create jobs and produce fun, educational programming that does just that right here in our beautiful state.”

“The California Soundstage Program is a huge boost to our show, which will film in and around Los Angeles,” said Rachel Sennott and Emma Barrie, co-showrunners, writers, and executive producers of I Love LA. “It enables us to showcase the city we love and create meaningful jobs and new opportunities. We are truly grateful to be part of such an outstanding program.”

The Soundstage Program has helped support the certification of soundstages statewide, including Universal City Studios (23 soundstages), Paramount Studios, and The Ranch at Warner Bros. (16 soundstages).