Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles had some enthusiastic words to share on the heels of a major industry announcement. "A major victory for the entertainment workforce that powers this city," Bass declared, responding to Governor Gavin Newsom's announcement that "Baywatch" and numerous other television productions are set to make their return to the city's bustling streets and sprawling soundstages. The homecoming of these productions is attributed to California's expanded Film and Television Tax Credit Program — a policy that Bass has ardently supported since her days as Speaker of the State Assembly, according to a recent statement on the official website of the Mayor of Los Angeles.
With tax credits poised to draw in 17 television projects, the state anticipates a hefty economic impact, believing it will ring in around $1.2 billion. In a city that watched its quintessential industry migrate across borders and states, this influx signifies not just a resurgence of an entertainment legacy but a boon to countless workers seeking stable employment. "So seeing Baywatch — an iconic show that was born in L.A. — come home is more than symbolic," Bass mentioned in the announcement, emphasizing the tangible job opportunities this move creates.
Steve Kang, appointed by Bass as the Mayor's Liaison to the Film and Television Industry, will be assuming the task of synchronizing city departments and cutting through the bureaucratic tape to facilitate filming in Los Angeles. This streamlined approach aims to ramp up efficiency to benefit the local production ecosystem, a strategy underscored in comments by Kang himself, as revealed in the Mayor's announcement.
Backing these initiatives is Mayor Bass's Executive Directive 11, rolled out in May 2025, designed to make filming in LA more cost-effective and less cumbersome for studios and independent producers alike. The launch of the Entertainment Industry Council and the appointment of film liaisons within each relevant City department are further testament to Bass's commitment to nurturing LA's film, TV, and entertainment industry. Under her administration, Los Angeles has witnessed the initiation of a transformative workforce development and content production hub known as Creators @ Laboratory, strategically placed within the Crenshaw Empowerment District to spark new growth, as celebrated in the city's construction kickoff.
The revival of "Baywatch" serves not just as a nostalgic nod but as a harbinger of more promising returns and industry stability. "The return of Baywatch is a sign of great things to come," Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Chair of the Mayor's Entertainment Council and Founder/CEO of The Gotham Group, referenced in the Mayor's announcement. As the industry landscape reshapes beneath the LA sun, Mayor Bass's strategic moves and incentives are already scripting the next chapter in the city's storied relationship with the silver screen.
