Surging Television Production in New York City Breaks New Record

Over 50 television series filmed in NYC this season, bringing thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in spending to local neighborhoods

May 23, 2016 - The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Julie Menin today announced a record-breaking 52 episodic television series filmed in New York City during the 2015-16 television season. This year’s numbers confirm New York City as the premier location for the thriving television production industry – breaking records year after year. The number of episodics is up yet again – now at 15 percent over last season’s record setting year, in which the number of series spiked from 29 in the 2013-14 season to 46 in 2014-15. The surging growth in television production is driven by the proliferation of networks and platforms commissioning scripted content, which now includes streaming services like Netflix and Amazon.

"The TV industry is rapidly expanding to new platforms and audiences, and NYC is keeping pace. With a record 52 series filmed in our five boroughs this season, New Yorkers have felt the positive impact of the industry through billions of dollars to local businesses and thousands of good paying jobs, full-time jobs," said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

"We are thrilled that New York City has seen yet another increase in the number of scripted series. 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," said Commissioner Menin. "As the spike in production continues, we will be working to ensure that the economic benefits of filming flow not just to a few neighborhoods, but to communities throughout our five boroughs."

Television production brings real economic benefit to our communities. The increase in production has brought with it a boost in revenue for thousands of small businesses throughout New York City. Every series filmed here translates into hundreds more jobs, and millions of dollars in local spending. The series Gotham, for example, spent nearly $56 million across 127 locations – an average of over $2.5 million per episode – during the 2014-15 season. Over the course of filming of Gotham's 22 episodes, $31 million was spent for payroll to 275 crew, cast and 2,400 extras, and $24.8 million went towards local spending to businesses throughout the five boroughs on items such as lumber, dry cleaning, coffee and other necessities.

Though the total number of network pilots has reportedly declined and many have moved away from the traditional pilot commissioning process, 15 pilots (including network, cable and digital) were filmed in New York City, in addition to the 52 episodic series. Among the award-winning shows filmed in New York City are Orange is the New Black, Mr. Robot, and The Americans. The appeal of producing in New York City has also propelled the relocation of popular series like HBO’s Homeland and ABC’s Quantico, both of which recently announced they will film their upcoming seasons here.

Taken as a whole, New York City’s filmed entertainment industry contributes nearly $9 billion to the local economy and provides tens of thousands of good-paying jobs. Over the past four years, full-time equivalent jobs in the City’s filmed entertainment business have grown 10 percent, from 94,000 to 104,000. And because television series are produced year-round, the television industry provides dependable year-round employment.

The pilots filmed in New York City include:
Time After Time, ABC
Model Woman, ABC
The Interestings, Amazon
The Tick, Amazon
Bull, CBS
Drew, CBS
Doubt, CBS
Nicki, Freeform
Crashing, HBO
The Deuce, HBO
Great News, NBC
The Blacklist: Redemption, NBC
I Shudder, TV Land
Brooklyn Animal Control, USA Network
Falling Water, USA Network