Los Angeles city officials are already preparing for a second season of Fox's rebooted "Baywatch" even though the network has not yet made a formal renewal decision. The show, which is due to premiere in January, has become a test case for the city's efforts to win back film and TV productions, and its return would be seen as a validation of new measures designed to streamline permitting for shows filming at high-profile local locations.

At a meeting on Wednesday, the city's chief film liaison, Steve Kang, told council members that producers were "very happy" with the support provided during the first season and confirmed they would be returning to Los Angeles next year. The production received a $21.1 million tax credit (40%) from the California Film Commission and was given a "concierge service" to help navigate the complex, multi-jurisdictional permitting process required to film at sites such as the historic Venice Lifeguard Operations Station. The discussion took place during the first meeting of a newly formed Ad Hoc Committee on Film, Entertainment and Creative Industry, chaired by councilman Adrin Nazarian, which aims to simplify regulations and lower fees to attract more productions to the city.