TV production moving to Vancouver as New York subsidies dry up



The Fox sci-fi drama Fringe is heading to Vancouver. The move comes as the tax credit program for New York state, where the show is currently shot, dries up.

Fringe's move to Vancouver is dependent on the show being picked up for another season, reports the Los Angeles Times. Vancouver is the hometown of one of the series' stars, Joshua Jackson.

"We did not come to this conclusion easily, but economic and practical imperatives dictated that this decision be made in a timely manner," the studio said in a statement.

The loss of subsidies in New York has producers of other shows thinking of moving to cheaper locales. As well as a favourable tax regime, the low Canadian dollar is attractive for TV and movie producers.

The Times reports that earlier in February, New York exhausted the $515 million allocated for the tax incentive program through 2013. Program supporters want state leaders to include more funds in next year's budget, but the state is saddled with a $13-billion deficit.

Some series, such as Gossip Girl have already applied for the tax credit and are staying in New York for the time being. However, some series are already planning to move out, and Canada is a major beneficiary, reports the Times. Maggie Hill, a 20th Century Fox Television pilot about a female heart surgeon set in New York, is moving to Toronto.