Empire State Development (ESD) has announced that 19 major network series will film in New York State this year, including four new series. The series activity was disclosed this week at the 2019 network upfronts, the presentations given by major networks to promote new and renewed series that will be part of their fall schedules. As of today, an additional 25 series distributed by streaming services, premium cable services or other broadcast companies have started filming or are confirmed to film in New York State. All series are participating in the New York State Film Tax Credit Program.
Empire State Development president, CEO and commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “The film and TV production and postproduction industry supports tens of thousands of jobs in the Empire State every year, and the series that film in the state in 2019 will bring an economic boost to local businesses and communities across New York.”
In 2018, through the May upfront week, 20 major network series had committed to film in New York State. These 20 series generated $1.35 billion in New York State spending and 81,000 hires. In total, 203 film and television projects applied for the New York State Film Tax Credit Program last year, estimated to generate more than 211,300 new hires and $3.9 billion in new spending for New York State. For each dollar of production incentive credit ESD issued in 2017, productions spent an average of $4.50 in New York State. The film and TV industry has grown every year since the incentive program was created in 2004.
Theatrical Teamsters Local 817 president Thomas J. O’Donnell said, “The Upfront announcements reinforce that New York is the go to destination for television and episodic content. It assures the continued growth of good paying jobs with good benefits that this industry provides.”
Silvercup Studios CEO Alan Suna said, “Silvercup Studios is excited that there will be so many new and continuing shows in New York. Getting the extension to the New York State Film/TV Tax Credit Program made all the difference. We are thrilled by all of the jobs this creates for New Yorkers and we are looking forward to a great future for New York’s booming film and television production industry.”
“I don’t know where else in the world you could find the wealth of talent and craft that The Good Fight depends upon as we enter into our fourth season,” said Brooke Kennedy, executive producer of The Good Fight for CBS. “Completely made in NY!”
The 15 renewed major network series to film in NY State this year are:
- Blacklist (Produced by Sony, distributed on NBC)
- Blindspot (Produced by Warner Bros, distributed on NBC)
- Blue Bloods (Produced by and distributed on CBS)
- Bull (Produced by and distributed on CBS)
- FBI (Produced by and distributed on CBS)
- God Friended Me (Produced by Warner Bros, distributed on CBS)
- Law & Order SVU (Produced by NBCU, distributed on NBC)
- Madam Secretary (Produced by and distributed on CBS)
- Manifest (Produced by Warner Bros, distributed on NBC)
- Mr. Robot (Produced by NBCU, distributed on USA)
- New Amsterdam (Produced by NBCU, distributed on NBC)
- Pose (Produced by Fox 21/Disney, distributed on FX)
- Tell Me A Story (Produced by CBS, distributed on CBS All Access)
- The Good Fight (Produced by CBS, distributed on CBS All Access)
- The Sinner (Produced by NBCU, distributed on USA)
The four new network shows slated for lensing in NY State are:
- Evil (Produced by and distributed on CBS)
- FBI: Most Wanted (Produced by and distributed on CBS)
- For Life (Produced by Sony, distributed on ABC)
- Tommy (Produced by and distributed on CBS)
Canada orders TikTok’s Canadian business to be dissolved but won’t block app
Canada announced Wednesday it won't block access to the popular video-sharing app TikTok but is ordering the dissolution of its Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind it.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne said it is meant to address risks related to ByteDance Ltd.'s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
"The government is not blocking Canadians' access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content. The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice," Champagne said.
Champagne said it is important for Canadians to adopt good cybersecurity practices, including protecting their personal information.
He said the dissolution order was made in accordance with the Investment Canada Act, which allows for the review of foreign investments that may harm Canada's national security. He said the decision was based on information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada's security and intelligence community and other government partners.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of local jobs.
"We will challenge this order in court," the spokesperson said. "The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive."
TikTok is wildly popular with young people, but its Chinese ownership has raised fears that Beijing could use it to collect data on Western users or push pro-China narratives and misinformation. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese company that moved its headquarters to Singapore in 2020.
TikTok faces intensifying scrutiny... Read More