Ever wonder where some of America’s most beloved TV shows were made? That’s Television City. This iconic studio complex stands in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles. Television City opened its doors in 1952. CBS built it as a dedicated video production facility.
Designed by William Pereira and Charles Luckman, Television City quickly became a hub for television magic. It paralleled 35mm film production at CBS Studio Center. Radford housed the film-type TV show productions. It also became home to CBS’s Los Angeles local television operations.
Since 1961, Television City has served as a national backup master control facility for CBS. In 2018, CBS sold Television City to Hackman Capital Partners. But CBS continues to lease its space exclusively.
Many shows, specials, and events have been broadcast or recorded at Television City. This includes shows not aired on CBS. The 1996 film “That Thing You Do!” starring Tom Hanks and Liv Tyler was filmed here too. During the opening credits, a voice-over announced, “From Television City in Hollywood.”
CBS planned to move its entertainment operations to Los Angeles in 1950. They needed more space than Columbia Square offered. So, CBS purchased the property at Fairfax Avenue and Beverly Boulevard. Reportedly, the company spent $7 million on the studio.
Television City was built on the former site of Gilmore Stadium and Gilmore Field. Initially, the four studios used RCA TK-10 monochrome cameras. Studio 43 got RCA TK-40/41 color cameras in 1954. Color broadcasts decreased until the 1964 production of “Cinderella”. CBS programs were generally in black-and-white until late 1964.
In September 2017, CBS considered selling Television City. The city of Los Angeles took steps to declare it a historic and cultural monument. Hackman Capital Partners bought Television City for $750 million in 2018. The deal allowed the buyer to use the Television City name.
Shows like “The Price Is Right” and “The Young and the Restless” continued to be based here. The headquarters of the CBS international unit also remained.
The stark modern architecture features black and white planes with red accents. Pereira & Luckman designed it this way. The color scheme identified areas for potential expansion. Black and glass walls were “temporary”, while white areas were “permanent”.
Television City initially held four soundstages. Renovations added two more in the late 1980s. Later, two more studios were added. The original plans called for 24 soundstages.
In 2021, Hackman announced a major redevelopment. This will expand Television City to at least 15 soundstages. Parts of the expansion will be built atop existing parking lots. The original studios will be preserved.
“The Price Is Right” relocated to Glendale in 2023 due to the redevelopment. Other programs also moved. The City Council approved the plans in early 2025.
Many iconic shows have been filmed at Television City. This includes “All in the Family”, “American Idol”, and “The Carol Burnett Show”. For decades, Television City has been a landmark of television history. From its architecture to its famous shows, it remains a significant part of Hollywood.