In a small victory for California’s film and television industry, mixed martial arts franchise Combate Global is moving its production from Miami to Burbank.
After six years on Univision, the series will air on Spanish-language network Estrella TV, with 20 live events scheduled to be filmed in Estrella’s new network studio starting in February. The space can accommodate 500 people and was used for filming the talent competition show “Tengo Talento Mucho Talento”.
Campbell McLaren, CEO of Combate Global and co-founder of the UFC, said the franchise wanted to move to Southern California because the media market is larger.
He said the move is estimated to create about 60 jobs and have an annual economic impact of more than $1 million with 20 performances, more than the eight produced this year.
“The market is bigger, we have access to more talent, we have access to more behind-the-camera talent, we have access to more on-camera talent,” McLaren said. “We feel like we’re taking a big, big step forward.”
The move will allow the franchise to target not only L.A.’s large Mexican-American market (Combat Global currently has its largest audience in Mexico), but also markets that have not traditionally been exposed to mixed martial arts events, such as the Korean community. The sport’s Japan vs. Mexico night is also popular and could have wide appeal in Los Angeles, McLaren said.
“This is a move to best serve our core audience,” he said. “We will be able to attract a real audience.”
The news comes as California seeks to lure film and television production companies back to the Golden State as many people relocate to other states and countries in search of better tax incentives.
Over the summer, the state Legislature and the Legislature agreed to more than double the annual amount allocated. To date, dozens of projects have received tax credits, including and . (Combate Global did not receive a tax credit because sports are not covered by the program.)
