NEW YORK — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo (www.governor.ny.gov) has announced that New York is approaching a record-breaking year for television production in the state. Already this season, state numbers show that there have been 19 pilots and five shows that went straight to series. No less than two additional pilots have communicated their intention to film in New York, setting the state on a path to break the record for the number of television pilots produced here in just one year. The current record, according to state numbers, is 20 pilots, which were shot from the fall of 2010 to the spring of 2011.
"New York is now the place to go for the film and television industry," says Cuomo. "We have the resources, the talented workforce and the venues to offer the industry unmatched opportunities. Our newly expanded and enhanced film and television program will only continue to spur tourism, attract more investments to New York and create more jobs for New Yorkers."
CBS is taking advantage of New York's tax credits with shows such as Blue Bloods and The Good Wife.
The state's film and television tax credit program began in 2004. It is estimated that the 349 projects that have filmed or applied to the program during the Cuomo administration will result in over $5.5 billion in direct spending in New York. In addition, the recently expanded and enhanced program provides new incentives to lure out-of-state talk and variety programs to the Empire State. In order to qualify, these programs must have filmed at least five seasons in another state. There are also new incentives to boost production in upstate New York.