CBS could add another Los Angeles-based production to its primetime lineup as the network revealed Wednesday that it is in development on a new cop drama starring Matt LeBlanc that, if greenlit, would film locally.
That series, titled Flint, would be one of several CBS scripted series to shoot in Los Angeles also including Matlock, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, NCIS and NCIS: Origins.
The plan for the series to remain local is likely to be embraced by production workers in Hollywood who are still struggling with low soundstage occupancy in the region. Despite the revamp of the California Film & TV Tax Credit program last year, production hasn’t quite picked up to the levels stakeholders had hoped for.
“We love shooting here. We want to shoot here as much as possible, but we do have a financial model that we have to hit,” George Cheeks, Chair of TV Media at Skydance-owned Paramount, told reporters on Wednesday. “So we have to continue to press for a federal tax credit as well, and to press for even greater improvements on the California credit.”
RELATED: George Cheeks Talks Replacing ‘Late Show’ With ‘Comics Unleashed’ Time Buy, Says CBS May Return To Late-Night: “We Will Continue To Develop”
In terms of improvements, Cheeks added that making above-the-line costs eligible for reimbursement would be the place to start, calling it a “key component” of bringing robust production back to the area.
Lawmakers and other stakeholders, including union leaders, chose to forgo that addition in last year’s bill to revitalize the program but have already signaled that it’s up for consideration as they eye more expansions. There’s also a push to include post-production costs as well, or establish separate programs that provide incentives for post-production and commercials.
Added CBS chief Amy Reisenbach: “It ultimately is a studio decision, because they are the ones that handle the budgets, but we want to find the right financial model for every show. When we can, and if it makes sense to shoot in Los Angeles, we will.”
The discussion comes one day after the Entertainment Union Coalition, which is comprised of several Hollywood unions including the three major above-the-line orgs, laid out a plan to establish ties with whomever is set to succeed California Governor Gavin Newsom. The EUC said Tuesday that it had met with most of the state’s gubernatorial candidates, save for Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco and California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.
While the EUC doesn’t plan to endorse a candidate, the organization’s leaders sought to open a dialogue with the candidates about additional ways to improve the production landscape, including more provisions to the tax credit program. Among those proposed provisions would be above-the-line cost eligibility.
As Cheeks mentioned, there are also ongoing discussions among stakeholders regarding a federal incentive, though nothing concrete has materialized quite yet. At various points over the past year, President Trump has signaled his support for a tariff on films made overseas, but most experts agree that, in addition to being tricky to implement given the nature of film and TV production, this would do more harm than good. Other lawmakers, production workers, union leaders, etc. have instead tried to steer the conversation toward some sort of tax break to reward domestic productions rather than punish international ones.
RELATED: 2026 TV Series Renewals Photo Gallery
RELATED: 2026 TV Cancellations Photo Gallery: Series Ending This Year &
Beyond
RELATED: 2026 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Streaming & Cable
