A Rare Sight And Some Detailed New Studio History…NBC, 30 Rock

This is a rare aerial view of The RCA Building and circled, the 11 story NBC Studio wing on West 49th Street at 6th Avenue. Notice the bottom of the circle touches a building across the street…that is The Center Theater, or was until it was torn down in 1954. It was replaced by a 19 story office building which was home to US Rubber. That’s why you can’t see this view anymore.

In the bottom left corner, just behind 30 Rock is West 50th Street and Radio City Music Hall is located there on the corner of 6th Avenue. Radio City seats 6,000 and the Center, it’s smaller sister seated 3,000. NBC used The Center as a television studio from 1950 till 1954.

When RCA/NBC moved here from 711 5th Avenue in November of 1933, less than half the studios were functioning. Of the thirty-five studios in the Radio City plans, sixteen were functioning by the opening night. The remaining nineteen came on line at later dates. The studios range in size from intimate speakers’ chambers of small dimensions to a huge auditorium measuring 78 by 132 feet and three stories in height. We now know this as Studio 8H, but then it was called “The Auditorium Studio”.

The second largest studio (8G) was to be used for dramatic programs. It is two stories in height and measures 50 by 89 feet. The stage utilized a “glass-curtain” similar to the one introduced in the NBC Times Square studios atop the New Amsterdam Theatre Building. When the curtain is lowered, studio visitors hear the program over amplifiers while viewing the actors through the huge glass window.

Eight additional studios on the third floor are two stories in height. Two have floor measurements of 50 by 80 feet (3A and 3B), two 25 by 40 feet (3C and D), and four 30 by 50 feet (3 E, F, G and H). Side galleries were provided for guests to view the programs through glass windows. Special galleries of smaller sizes were provided for clients who wish to view broadcasts, auditions or rehearsals.

In 1933, what was then the world’s largest air conditioning plant was built on the 10th floor. Each studio was sound proofed and their floors “floated” on felt cushions. Enjoy and share! -Bobby Ellerbee

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