Is BET cutting ties with the Georgia film industry? According to Deadline, the BET network will be ending their hit TV series, ‘The Game’ after nine seasons. The news comes five months after renewing the Mara Brock Akil’s drama series for an eighth season.
“All good things must come to an end and after celebrating four successful seasons of The Game on BET, the Network has announced production is underway on the show’s final two seasons,” BET said in a statement on its Web site. “In January 2011 the cult following of The Game proved that the show was a fan favorite with 7.7 million viewers for its premiere debut on BET. With seasons eight and nine, we’re excited to end on a high note by giving Sabers fans a chance to bid farewell to their favorite players on and off the field.”
The Game became a hit TV series after record setting numbers tuned in to watch the return of the football drama. Akil revealed what it is like to see a show get cancelled, “Shows do end; that is a part the business,”she said. “I’m very happy BET gave The Game five additional seasons to explore these characters and this world. We made history when we got to the network and it’s nice to be able to celebrate the great achievements of the show.”
This is the third TV series to end their filming in the City of Atlanta. Recently, Mara Brock Akil’s TV series, ‘Being Mary Jane’ was recently awarded film incentive credit to film in Los Angeles along with BET’s ‘Let’s Stay Together‘. With the ending of ‘The Game‘ it leaves the state of Georgia with zero BET Network productions.
The recent move from Georgia to California is due to a new Film incentive created by the State of California. This 100 million dollar incentive is a movement by California representatives to reclaim productions that have left the state and film in places like Louisiana and Georgia.
This would be the third show in the last two years that has left Atlanta for Los Angeles. Previously, MTV‘s Teen Wolf, was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia but was later filmed in Los Angeles. It was reported in June that BET’s ‘Let’s Stay Together‘ will film in Los Angeles.
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