Written by on Jun 26, 2015. Posted in Incentive News

Nashville TV drama secures $10m filming incentive in Tennessee

Television drama Nashville has been given a filming incentive of USD 10 million to shoot on location in its namesake city in Tennessee. The series follows a middle-aged country music singer forced to team up with a young starlet to resurrect her career.

Nashville got a filming incentive payment of USD 8 million from state authorities, plus additional funding from municipal agencies and private companies.

The drama considered relocating for its third series, before negotiating a new filming incentive payment from state authorities.

“Tennessee is known around the world for its first-class entertainment experiences and rich musical heritage,” said Bob Raines, executive director of the Tennessee Film, Entertainment and Music Commission.

“Airing in 82 international markets per week, Nashville continues to showcase our state globally and is a great ambassador for our vibrant music, film and television industries. I’m excited the show is coming back to Tennessee for another great season.”

Added Lionsgate vice president John Valentine: “We can’t wait to be back on location for Season 4 and we sincerely thank our partners at the state of Tennessee, city of Nashville and Ryman Hospitality for making it possible.”

Tennessee offers a 25% grant as a filming incentive for productions that spend at least USD 200,000 locally. However, the state is not known as a filming hub and is eclipsed in the US by neighbouring Georgia and, until recently, North Carolina.

Georgia has become of America’s top production centres, with world-class studio facilities and a filming incentive that can easily stretch to 30% of eligible spending.