Learn About 'The Tour at NBC Studios'
The Tour will take guests on an exciting journey through NBC Studios in Rockefeller Center where broadcast television was born, showcasing where some of today’s most popular shows are made, right in the heart of Manhattan.
March 25, 2024
There is nothing like The Tour at NBC Studios.
Visit where some of today's most popular television shows are made, like Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Kelly Clarkson Show. Also, get to see the headquarters for some of America's favorite news programming including TODAY, Nightly News with Lester Holt, MSNBC, and NBC News Now.
NBC Pages will guide you through the production process, from staging and directing, to the technologies that deliver our content to your home.
For more information, to check availability or to purchase a ticket, visit www.thetouratnbcstudios.com.
See where your favorite NBC shows are made.
Saturday Night Live
Broadcasts live from NBC Studio 8H
Saturday Night Live, which premiered October 11, 1975, is the most Emmy-nominated show in history and holds 93 Emmy wins (including awards for its specials and short form series). SNL has been honored twice (1990 and 2009) with the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award and was inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The show continues to garner the highest ratings and largest audience of any late-night television program, entertaining millions each week on linear and digital platforms.
Since its inception in 1975, SNL has launched the careers of many of the brightest comedy performers of their generation. SNL makes headlines with topical humor reflecting politics and current events, features an array of characters with a perspective on pop culture that remains unparalleled and offers sharp political commentary through its signature Weekend Update segment. A variety show that is truly one of a kind, SNL also attracts the biggest stars of music to its stage for innovative viral performances.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Tapes before a live studio audience from NBC Studio 6B
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon made its debut from Studio 6B in Rockefeller Center on Feb. 17, 2014. Emmy Award- and Grammy Award-winning comedian Jimmy Fallon brings a high-tempo energy to the storied NBC franchise with his welcoming interview style, love of audience participation, spot-on impersonations and innovative sketches .
For almost 60 years, "The Tonight Show" has been an American television institution home to big-name celebrity guests and top musical and comedic talent. Taking a cue from predecessors, including hosts Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, Fallon carries on the tradition audiences know and love.
Known for his huge online presence, Fallon also brings along many popular segments, celeb sketches and musical parodies that fans have grown to love on "Late Night," including Hashtags, Thank You Notes and Slow Jam the News. The critically praised Grammy-winning group The Roots serves as "The Tonight Show" house band.
Watch The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Now on Peacock
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Tapes before a live studio audience from NBC Studio 8G
Late Night with Seth Meyers is home to A-list celebrity guests, memorable comedy and topical monologue jokes. It is hosted by Emmy Award-winning writer and one of the 2014 TIME 100, Time magazine’s 100 most influential people, Seth Meyers. Previously, Meyers served as head writer on “Saturday Night Live” and anchor on the show’s wildly popular “Weekend Update.”
An established comedian, Meyers is known for his perfectly timed wit and off-the-cuff satire. Meyers' fellow "Saturday Night Live" cast member and friend Fred Armisen serves as music director/drummer for the house band, The 8G Band with Fred Armisen.
Watch Late Night with Seth Meyers Now on Peacock
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tapes before a live studio audience from NBC Studio 6A
The Kelly Clarkson Show is the critically acclaimed, uplifting daytime destination for humor, heart and connection featuring Emmy® Award winning talk show host, Grammy® Award winning artist and America’s original idol, Kelly Clarkson. The hourlong program, produced and distributed by NBCUniversal Syndication Studios, is the highest rated talk show to debut in seven years. It features a mix of celebrity guests and everyday people, performances, games and Kelly’s unfiltered perspective on life, relationships, parenting and things that make her laugh along the way. The Kelly Clarkson Show airs in 100% of the country on more than 200 stations.
Watch The Kelly Clarkson Show Now on Peacock
NBC News
Also, get to see the headquarters for some of America's favorite news programming including TODAY, Nightly News with Lester Holt, MSNBC, and NBC News Now.
The History of NBC at 30 Rockefeller Center
In 1933, 30 Rockefeller Center became home to NBC operations. Dubbed a “world center,” the ten story, 40,000 square foot studio inside The RCA Building in Rockefeller Center was built to house NBC’s offices and equipment, including the newest and most improved devices and technology. At that time, the Radio City headquarters became the world’s largest broadcasting studio.
Since then, the iconic landmark location has been home to some of NBC's biggest stars and most memorable moments. Take a look at the timeline below to see NBC's 30 Rockefeller Center history, and learn more on our official NBCUniversal History Timeline.
1933. The Page Program begins
The Page Program, a highly competitive rotational learning and development program for young people in the media and entertainment industry, is established. Based in New York City and Los Angeles, the program is one of the most selective and prestigious for early career development.
1936. NBC Radio broadcasts the historic 1936 Berlin Olympics
The Berlin Olympics were the first games to be televised, and radio broadcasts reached 41 countries. NBC aired this historic event, including the record breaking success of Jesse Owens winning 4 gold medals — the first American to do so.
1937. Italian maestro Arturo Toscanini makes his first appearance conducting the NBC Symphony Orchestra
In early 1937, NBC's music director (and a friend of Toscanini) Samuel Chotzinoff sent a telegram to the famous maestro. Toscanini had just retired to his native Italy after having conducted the New York Philharmonic since 1929.
1947. NBC debuts the first TV series with a live audience and the first live broadcast of a dramatic TV series
Howdy Doody became one of the first television series to film in front of a live studio audience, with audience members participating from the program's famous "Peanut Gallery". Kraft Television Theatre became the first live dramatic series on TV, with both of these programs filming from studios in 30 Rock.
1952. TODAY becomes the first network early-morning show, with David Garroway as its first host
Now, more than 60 years later, millions of people begin their day with Today.
1957. Jack Paar becomes host of The Tonight Show on NBC
With Paar, the show would relocate to Studio 6B in the RCA Building. In 1960, Paar famously walked off the program in protest to NBC management who had censored a water-closet joke, saying “There must be a better way of making a living than this.” A month later, after having spent a few weeks in Hong Kong trying to calm down, he returned, admitting that he couldn’t find a better way after all.
1975. Saturday Night Live, then known as NBC's Saturday Night, premieres its first season
The show has continued to run ever since, and has had an incredible influence on the television landscape, earning the most Emmy nominations in television history. George Carlin was the first host.
1982. Bryant Gumbel becomes the first Black morning show anchor on network TV
Bryant Gumbel held a 15-year stint as co-host of NBC’s TODAY, becoming an influential Black voice on network TV and household name.
1996. NBC and Microsoft launch MSNBC
The 24-hour news and information cable network combined with an interactive online service to create a new model of television and Internet integration.
2006. 30 Rock premieres on NBC
Starring Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin, the critically acclaimed comedy would dominate the awards landscape during the next few seasons, winning multiple Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, and Golden Globe awards.
2008. Rachel Maddow becomes the first openly lesbian anchor to host a major prime-time news program with the launch of The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC
She went on to win numerous awards, including a Gracie Allen Award for Individual Achievement.
2014. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Late Night with Seth Meyers debut on NBC
A new era begins as Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers carry on the tradition by debuting the current version of NBC late night, including a return to 30 Rockefeller Plaza for The Tonight Show.
What are you waiting for? Purchase a ticket now at www.thetouratnbcstudios.com.
