New York City breaks TV filming record

New York hosted a record number of episodic TV series in the 2015-16 season, with 52 different shows filming on location in the iconic east coast city.

By Nick Goundry 25 May 2016

New York City breaks TV filming record
Gotham in New York

New York hosted a record number of episodic TV series in the 2015-16 season, with 52 different shows filming on location in the iconic east coast city.

The figure is a 15% increase on the previous season and means the number of separate series shooting in New York has nearly doubled in just two years, according to the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment.

A surge in demand for a broad variety of filmed content for different networks and viewing platforms, including online, is said to be part of the reason for the huge increase.

“We are thrilled that New York City has seen yet another increase in the number of scripted series,” said commissioner Julie Menin.

“New York City is in a league of its own in terms of its iconic locations, its leading and diverse talent, and the first-rate service we provide to the productions that film here.

“As the spike in production continues, we will be working to ensure that the economic benefits of filming flow not just to a few neighbourhoods, but to communities throughout our five boroughs.”

New York State offers a generous 30% tax credit as a filming incentive, with an annual film fund of $420m. The programme specifically encourages producers to take their shoots beyond the famous locales of Manhattan.

Gotham is a prequel series that tells the story of Batman’s future police ally James Gordon and is among the high-profile shows that films in New York. Last season Gotham shot in nearly 130 separate locations throughout the city and spent almost $60m, according to the official figures.

New York’s main North American filming competitors are Los Angeles and Atlanta in the US, and Vancouver and Toronto in Canada.

For more on filming in New York see our production guide.

Image: Fox Broadcasting

A surge in demand for a broad variety of filmed content for different networks and viewing platforms, including online, is said to be part of the reason for the huge increase.

“We are thrilled that New York City has seen yet another increase in the number of scripted series,” said commissioner Julie Menin.

“New York City is in a league of its own in terms of its iconic locations, its leading and diverse talent, and the first-rate service we provide to the productions that film here.

“As the spike in production continues, we will be working to ensure that the economic benefits of filming flow not just to a few neighbourhoods, but to communities throughout our five boroughs.”

New York State offers a generous 30% tax credit as a filming incentive, with an annual film fund of $420m. The programme specifically encourages producers to take their shoots beyond the famous locales of Manhattan.

Gotham is a prequel series that tells the story of Batman’s future police ally James Gordon and is among the high-profile shows that films in New York. Last season Gotham shot in nearly 130 separate locations throughout the city and spent almost $60m, according to the official figures.

New York’s main North American filming competitors are Los Angeles and Atlanta in the US, and Vancouver and Toronto in Canada.

For more on filming in New York see our production guide.

Image: Fox Broadcasting

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