Written by new-contact on Jul 24, 2014. Posted in On Location

Late Show to keep New York filming location despite appeal from Los Angeles

The Late Show will keep filming on location in New York next year when comedian Stephen Colbert takes over as host. David Letterman announced his retirement in April, prompting an immediate appeal from the Mayor of Los Angeles to relocate the show to California.

Television network CBS will get a filming tax credit of around USD11 million to keep the Late Show in New York, plus a separate grant to support renovations to the programme’s long-term venue the Ed Sullivan Theater.

“We’re thrilled to continue broadcasting CBS’s Late Show from New York and call the Ed Sullivan Theater its home,” said Leslie Moonves, President and CEO of CBS: “David Letterman has graced this hall and city with comedy and entertainment that defined a generation. When Dave decides to pass the baton next year, we look forward to welcoming Stephen Colbert, one of the most innovative and respected forces on TV, to this storied television theater.

“I would also like to applaud Governor Cuomo for all that he has done to keep New York a vibrant and attractive location for all forms of television production. We’re excited to be here in late night for many years to come.”

Los Angeles suffered a blow to its TV industry earlier this year when iconic programme The Tonight Show relocated to New York following Jay Leno’s retirement. When Letterman announced he would be leaving the Late Show, the Mayor of Los Angeles wrote to Moonves with promises of “cutting red tape” and “lending proactive assistance” if the show relocated, but ultimately the decision did not go his way.

(Photo: Chuck Kennedy/The White House)