Hollywood Unions Warn U.S. Production Market Share Has Fallen Sharply
A union coalition report says U.S. film production budgets fell from 74% to 42% over 25 years, with a rally set for Tuesday in Glendale.
A coalition of Hollywood unions including IATSE, the Directors Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA released a report on Monday warning that the United States has lost significant market share in film and television production over the last 25 years, according to Variety.
The report found that studios once spent 74% of their film production budgets in the U.S., a figure that has since declined to 42%. On the television side, the share of production spending in the U.S. has fallen from 94% to 64%.
The unions are set to hold a rally with Sen. Adam Schiff and several Democratic members of the California Congressional delegation on Tuesday in Glendale.
The Motion Picture Association issued its own report last month arguing that a federal incentive would generate an additional $22 billion in annual domestic production spending by 2035. In August 2025, President Trump came out in favor of a production incentive, and last month Schiff and others introduced a federal credit that would combine with state-based subsidies.
Production Downturn Since 2022
The decline in domestic production jobs accelerated after Peak TV ended in 2022, a downturn that has weighed on crews and studios in California and other production hubs.
Quick answers
What did the Hollywood unions' report find?
The report found that studios spent 74% of film production budgets in the U.S. 25 years ago, falling to 42% today, while TV production spending in the U.S. fell from 94% to 64%.
When is the union rally with Sen. Adam Schiff?
The rally is scheduled for Tuesday in Glendale with Sen. Adam Schiff and several Democratic members of the California Congressional delegation.
What did the Motion Picture Association report say about a federal incentive?
The MPA's report last month argued that a federal incentive would generate an additional $22 billion in annual domestic production spending by 2035.