News Summary
Los Angeles sees a notable 31.4% drop in reality TV production this summer, alongside an overall decline of nearly 21% in TV shoot days. Reality recorded just 649 shoot days, hitting the lowest performance in 15 years, while comedy shows thrived. Despite this downturn, feature films experienced growth. The decrease is partly attributed to delays from recent tax credit changes and the impacts of industry strikes. Optimism exists for recovery as new incentives aim to boost production activity in the region.
Los Angeles, CA – Reality television production in Los Angeles saw a staggering decline this summer, dropping by 31.4%. In addition to this, overall TV shoot days in the region dropped nearly 21%, indicating a broader downturn in the television production landscape.
From July to September 2025, the total number of TV shoot days in greater Los Angeles was 4,380, marking a 13.2% decrease year-over-year. This data was released by FilmLA, a nonprofit organization responsible for managing film permits in the Los Angeles area. The report highlights not just the struggles of reality TV but also the downturn in other television genres, with TV production as a whole recording 1,441 shoot days—a 20.7% decline compared to the same quarter last year.
Reality TV’s decline is notably significant; it recorded just 649 shoot days, falling behind other genres for the second worst quarterly performance in the past 15 years. Interestingly, while reality shows faced a steep drop, the comedy genre experienced a resurgence, with a 41.1% increase to 79 shoot days. Other TV formats, such as dramas and pilot productions, were not spared from the downturn, witnessing a decline of 19% and 34.5%, respectively.
Feature film production in Los Angeles, on the other hand, experienced a contrasting trend. It increased to 522 shoot days, a rise of 9.7% from the previous year. However, it remained around 30% below the five-year average. In contrast, commercial production fell by 17.9% to 668 shoot days, while the category labeled as “other,” which includes student films, documentaries, and still photo shoots, decreased by 9.9% to 1,749 shoot days.
The significant decline in production partly reflects industry-wide trends, with a noted drop recorded during the writers and actors strikes that took place in 2023. The third quarter of 2025 marked a 42% decline in reality TV production compared to the preceding quarter. Additionally, other TV genres faced an overall drop of 33% during the same time frame.
A contributing factor to the decrease in production may be tied to the delays brought about by California’s expanded film and TV tax credit program, which was enacted in summer 2025. The recent round of tax incentives selected 22 TV series from a nearly 400% increase in applications, with 18 receiving funding primarily situated in Los Angeles. Selected projects have 180 days to begin production after receiving their funding notifications, potentially leading to further delays in turning projects into actual shoot days.
Despite the challenging current climate, FilmLA remains optimistic about the future. Improved production activity is anticipated with the new tax incentives aiming to bolster the industry. The expanded California film and TV subsidy grew significantly, increasing from $330 million to $750 million, and has been extended to include sitcoms, animation, and large-scale competition shows while excluding game shows and commercials.
The data underscores an ongoing trend of decreased production activities, mirroring a broader decline in global production levels since the pandemic-driven boom in 2022. Regions outside of California, including Georgia, New York, Canada, and the U.K., are similarly experiencing a drop in production. As production levels fluctuate, stakeholders in the industry continue to assess the impact of tax incentives and other measures to rejuvenate Los Angeles as a production hub.
While the recent statistics on reality TV and other production types indicate challenges faced by the industry, the evolution of tax incentives and other strategic initiatives could potentially pave the way for a resurgence in production activity in the near future.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Hollywood Production Faces Significant Decline
Filming Frenzy Faces Decline in Los Angeles
California Proposes Increased Film Tax Credits
California Film Industry Faces New Challenges
Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Reality TV Production Decline
- Wikipedia: Reality Television
- Variety: Los Angeles Production Activity
- Google Search: Los Angeles Film Production
- AP News: Carlos King on Reality Television
- Google Scholar: Reality TV Production Trends
- New York Times: Wildfires and Reality TV Stars
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Reality Television
- Harper’s Bazaar: Best Reality TV Shows
- Google News: Reality TV
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
The Hollywood Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHollywood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, film premieres at TCL Chinese Theatre, and festivals at the Magic Castle. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hollywood, plus leading businesses in entertainment, dining, and tourism that define the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HEREAnaheim.com, and HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
