“Ugly Betty” returns
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- May
- 12
Touting the success today of the state’s recent decision to triple its film tax credit (from 10 percent to 30 percent), Gov. David Paterson announced today that production of the ABC series “Ugly Betty” would be returning to New York City. The city’s 5 percent “Made in NY” tax credit will boost that to 35 percent.
The show’s move will create 200 full- and part-time jobs and is the first time an established television show has transferred its operations to New York City, according to Paterson. The state has lost about $750 million in film and TV business in the past few years because of increased competition from neighboring states. The state tax credit is expected to cost the state $5 million this year, $10 million next year, and $15 million the third year.
New York City is one of the most desired filiming locations in the country and we are pleased to welcome ‘Ugly Betty’ into that storied history,” Paterson said in a statement. “With this hit show set to film in Manhattan and Queens, this will allow viewers to see more of our great city.”
The pilot for “Ugly Betty”—about Betty Suarez, a “fashion-challenged” Queens woman who works for a high-fashion New York City magazine— was shot in New York City three years ago, but the series has been filmed in Los Angeles for two seasons. Mark Pedowitz, president of ABC Studios, said the higher tax incentive made the return possible.
“Ugly Betty” is based on “Yo Soy Betty La Fea,” a Colombian telenovela (soap opera) that became known internationally. Salma Hayek is executive producer of the American show.
This entry was posted
on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 2:28 pm by Cara Matthews.
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This is really, really relevant to “Politics on the Hudson.”
Explain, please. This “costs” the state 30 mil over three years?
Tax credits that enable jobs to come to/remain in NY are relevant, whether it’s for a factory or a TV show. It’d be nice to know how much $$ in business the Ugly Betty tax credits will generate, though. If the projected credits of $30M over three years can be offset by $750M of spending in NY by the film companies, that seems like a fair tradeoff.
The blog is not about NYC, and the subject of this entry is pretty tangential to the Lower Hudson Valley. But that’s par for the course on this blog, where the reporters routinely write about national politics while ignoring local races—except for the few that interest them.
Walt, a show that probably will be taped on a soundstage in Astoria, Queens isn’t going to bring in anywhere near the example you used in a “what if” manner.
As always, a big problem with NY is the unions.
Just using the numbers in the article. I also doubt that Ugly Betty would bring in $750M.
$30M in credits for one TV show seems excessive to me, too. Ms. Matthews, can we clarify this? Are they projecting $30M just for the one show, or for all potential film work?
At any rate, I’d rather see the work here than in California or Toronto.