Studio 8H

Studio 8H is a 6102 sqft television studio located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, United States. The studio is a part of NBC Studios, the home of the NBC television network, located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. It is most notable for housing the live broadcast of Saturday Night Live (SNL), which has been broadcast from the studio since the show's inception in 1975.

Construction

Studio 8H was built in 1933, at the time of Rockefeller Center's construction. It was intended not only for orchestral performances but also for radio variety programs with large studio audiences.[1] It became the home of Arturo Toscanini's NBC Symphony Orchestra in 1937. At the time of construction, Studio 8H was the world's largest radio studio, 132 x with a height of three stories, which could house a full orchestra.[2] The first ever performance of Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings was performed from Studio 8H. It was converted for television use in 1950, primarily for the live broadcast of Kraft Television Theatre.[3]

History

Studio 8H is now most prominent for housing the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, which is broadcast live.[4] It was revamped just before the 1975 premiere of SNL at a cost of $250,000.[5] Two episodes of NBC sitcom 30 Rock, "Live Show" and "Live from Studio 6H" were also broadcast live from the studio, a departure from the show's usual film format.[6][7]

The first season finale of The Apprentice and the fifth anniversary special of Late Night with Conan O'Brien both used the studio for one night each. Likewise, Later with Bob Costas, Love, Sidney, the 50th anniversary television episode of Today in 1990, House Party with Steve Doocy, and the fifth anniversary special of