Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery received the largest shares in the latest round of California film and television tax credits.
Disney Projects Score Big Under Expanded Tax Credit Program
In a March 18 press release from the California Film Commission, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the first round of television awards under the state’s expanded Film & Television Tax Credit Program.
Production entities tied to Disney, including ABC and 20th Century Studios, were awarded a combined $128.8 million, which narrowly tops the $127.9 million granted to competing Warner Bros. Discovery companies.
The biggest Disney-related awards went to 20th Century Studios, which secured nearly $94 million in credits for four untitled series. One of those projects, valued at $48 million in credits, is set to relocate production from another state.
Disney-owned projects have been awarded tax credits as part of this program routintely in the past. In one instance from 2024, “The Mandalorian & Grogu” was awarded more than $21.7 million in California tax credits, a record tax reward for a single project.
Notably, the expanded Tax Credit Program is now extending to game shows and animation productions for the first time. For one example of an affected animation project under Disney, the “Family Guy” spinoff “Stewie” was selected for tax credits as part of this program.
In announcing the awards, Governor Gavin Newsom said the changes were intended to support the state’s entertainment workforce, regardless of format (live action or animation), and keep more production jobs in California.
“California’s creative economy isn’t just part of who we are — it helps power this state forward. From the folks on the soundstage to the people designing the sets, these are jobs that anchor communities. I’m pleased to expand this award to animated and competition shows, helping advance the strongest entertainment economy in the nation and bringing even more good-paying jobs to California.”
Combined, Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery productions benefitting from this program span 16 TV shows, with estimates that these will generate roughly $871 million in qualified in-state spending, including $489 million in wages to thousands of entertainment workers, according to the film commission’s report.
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