Hollywood production in Los Angeles drops 30% in Q1 2025 amid conservative shift

Hollywood production in Los Angeles experienced a significant decline of 30 percent in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, signaling a major shift in the industry’s landscape.

This downturn coincides with a growing conservative influence in content creation. Colin Whelan, a former studio executive, notes that "more conservative projects are getting greenlit," reflecting a pivot away from progressive themes.

The political climate, particularly the impact of former President Trump’s anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda, has fueled a resurgence of anti-woke programming. Producers warn that this reactionary trend could further destabilize an industry already facing challenges.

In 2024, Trump Media and Technology Group launched Truth+, a platform dedicated to "news, Christian content, and family-friendly programming that is uncancelable by Big Tech," which appears to be influencing Hollywood’s content direction.

Industry insiders report a growing hesitancy to approve projects perceived as too progressive, especially those featuring non-white leads or addressing social issues explicitly. One executive shared, "I’ve heard from multiple executives that there’s a noticeable hesitancy around content perceived as too progressive."

This conservative shift raises concerns about the diversity and inclusivity of future Hollywood productions, as well as the economic impact of shrinking production volumes in Los Angeles.

The combination of political pressures and changing audience preferences is reshaping Hollywood’s creative and business environment, with potential long-term consequences for the industry’s cultural relevance and financial health.

Hollywood production in Los Angeles fell 30% in Q1 2025 amid a conservative shift, with more conservative projects greenlit and hesitancy around progressive content. Trump Media's Truth+ launch promoting family-friendly, uncancelable programming reflects this trend, raising concerns about the industry's future amid political and cultural tensions.