‘Hot Bench’ Relocates To Connecticut As LA Production Exodus Continues With No Respite For Unscripted Shows In Sight

deadline.com:

EXCLUSIVE: Another longtime Los Angeles-based TV production is leaving California. CBS Media Ventures‘ syndicated court show Hot Bench, currently in its 11th season, will move to Connecticut next season.

The Judith Sheindlin-created program, which is in Year 1 of a two-season pickup, recently informed its stars and crew of the pending relocation.

It is done for financial reasons, with Hot Bench projected to get a 30% tax credit in Connecticut, which I hear would amount to savings of about $3.5M a year on its $12M budget.

It is unclear whether the show’s current judges, Michael Corriero, Rachel Juarez and Yodit Tewolde, would make the move to the East Coast; one or more departures appear likely. “Given the industrywide economic challenges, we have made a budgetary decision to shift production of Hot Bench to Connecticut,” a CBS Media Ventures spokesperson said in a statement to Deadline. “Hot Bench is the #1 original court show on television, and this move will ensure the long-term financial success of the show so our loyal viewers can enjoy the show for years to come.” CBS Media Ventures’ parent Paramount Global has been under particular financial pressure to cut costs, resulting in multiple waves of layoffs this year.