Written by on Apr 5, 2013. Posted in On Location

The Tonight Show and America’s Got Talent switch to New York filming locations

Flagship late-night TV programme The Tonight Show and hit entertainment series America’s Got Talent are to switch filming locations to New York. The Tonight Show has been filming in Los Angeles since the early 70s and America’s Got Talent will relocate from Newark.

New York’s TV filming tax credit – newly launched – has been specifically designed to appeal to long-running shows that relocate to the Empire State. It will reward series that spend at least USD30 million a year and have studio audiences of at least 200.

“The Tonight Show is an iconic production,” said New York Governor Michael Cuomo: “This announcement builds on the recent surge of television and film production happening here in New York that has restored our state as a global film production capital and driven the creation of new jobs and business growth throughout the state. I welcome The Tonight Show home.”

This announcement builds on the recent surge of television and film production happening here in New York.

Michael Cuomo, Governor of New York

“The state’s television and film programme is attracting new productions that are resulting in more investment in New York and more jobs for New Yorkers,” said Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Kenneth Adams: “We welcome America’s Got Talent to their new home and look forward to its continued success.”

The switch in filming locations for The Tonight Show is a particularly high-profile blow for California, which is struggling to compete with New York’s filming tax credits.