HBO’s The White Lotus Season 2 Stimulated Over EUR 38 Million for Italy’s GDP

July 24, 2023

Trieste, 24 July 2023 – The production of HBO’s TV series The White Lotus season 2 contributed over EUR 38 million to Italy’s GDP according to an economic impact study by Oxford Economics. The production also created approximately 1,500 local jobs (full-time and part-time) and supported 700 local businesses across all of Italy.

The overall impact data was presented during the Audiovisual Producers’ Summit organized by Cinecittà and the Italian Culture Ministry, in partnership with APA in Trieste.

“The production of The White Lotus is a perfect illustration of the significant positive economic impact that the film, television, and streaming industry can have on local economies,” said Stan McCoy, President of the Motion Picture Association in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. “Season 2 resulted in a total spending of EUR 32 million supporting local suppliers of goods and services and creating approximately 1,500 full-time and part-time jobs across Italy.”

According to Oxford Economics, the economic benefits of The White Lotus season 2 include:

  • EUR 32 million direct production expenditure in Italy.
  • Approximately 1,500 local workers employed by the production earned wages of EUR 8 million.
  • Over EUR 24 million was spent with 700 businesses across Italy that were engaged by the production
  • In total, the production stimulated over EUR 38 million in contribution to Italy’s GDP.

You can download the full study at:https://www.oxfordeconomics.com/resource/economic-impacts-of-the-white-lotus-season-two-in-italy/

Economic Impact infographic

Janet Graham Borba, EVP Production for HBO and Max, comments: “HBO has a rich history of producing and co-producing content in Italy and most recently audiences around the world were delighted by the second, Sicilian season of The White Lotus.  The findings of this report demonstrate our commitment to meaningful investment in – and collaboration with – our international partners and hopefully offer tangible insight into the significant and varied opportunities that investment brings not just to the local production industry but also to the wider economy.”

Created by Mike White, The White Lotus is a TV series produced by HBO that follows the exploits of a group of guests and employees at an exclusive resort. Season Two was set and filmed in Sicily, Italy. The series launched globally on 30 October, 2022 with a run of seven episodes.

About The Motion Picture Association:

The Motion Picture Association, Inc. (MPA) serves as the global voice and advocate of the motion picture, home video, and television industries. It works in every corner of the globe to advance the creative industry, protect its members’ content across all screens, defend the creative and artistic freedoms of storytellers, and support innovative distribution models that bring an expansion of viewing choices to audiences around the world.

Its member studios are: Netflix Studios, LLC; Paramount Pictures Corporation; Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.; Universal City Studios LLC; Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures; and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO.