Ugly Betty Production Relocates to New York

NEW YORK, May 13:
Production on the hit ABC series Ugly Betty will be moving to New York City to take advantage
of new tax credits, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced yesterday, creating
more than 200 jobs in the city.

The ABC Studios production
was lured to New York by the 35-percent tax credits provided by the city and
the state. Last month, New York Governor David Paterson announced the expansion
the Empire State film product tax credit program, tripling the percentage of
qualified film production costs eligible for the State credit from 10 percent
to 30 percent and extending the program to 2013. New York City, meanwhile,
offers its own tax credit through the 'Made in NY' program, administered by the
Mayor's Office of Film, Theater & Broadcasting (MOFTB). The State and City
initiatives together offer 35 percent in tax credits. Other shows being
produced in New York City include Law & Order, 30 Rock and Gossip Girl.

"While there's no
better backdrop than New York City for virtually any television show, a show
about a young woman from Queens whose job combines publishing and fashion was
made to be 'Made in New York,'" said Mayor Bloomberg.

"New York is an
integral part of the creative storytelling of Ugly Betty," added Mark
Pedowitz, the president of ABC Studios. "These new tax incentives have
made it possible to bring Betty Suarez back to her home town. We appreciate the
support from the state and local government and their forward thinking
incentives that have helped the series' creative vision and bottom line."

Katherine Oliver, the
Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting, noted:
“Ugly Betty is the ultimate NYC
show—she lives in Queens, she works in Manhattan, and now those real
locations can be featured in every episode. Why fake it when you can get the
real deal right here? Now that New York State has tripled its tax credit,
productions can take advantage of a 35 percent refundable tax credit when they
film in the five boroughs.”

The Mayor’s office also
announced yesterday new efforts to position New York as a hub for Latin media
and entertainment, via the Latin Media and Entertainment Commission (LMEC). The
initiatives include a Latin Media Guide, produced in association with the
website NYRemezcla, featuring info on film screenings, concerts and more. LMEC
has also added eight additional board members, among them Joe Uva,
the CEO of Univision, and Jacqueline Hernández, the COO of Telemundo.

—By Mansha Daswani