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New York TV Show Tickets

Updated: March 8, 2024

This post has everything you need to know about getting free tickets to TV show tapings and live broadcasts of popular shows in NYC.

We will show who, where, and how to apply for tickets, what to expect on the day of the show as well as information on TV studio tours.

We are a group of local tour guides and questions about New York TV shows are everyday occurrences for us, so we decided to write this post.

And, in the video below, Katie, a guide with us, Free Tours by Foot, explains general tips for being part of live audiences.


OVERVIEW

Attending a live TV taping is one of the best free things to do in NYC! (Find out about other great free activities here.)

There is a wide array of shows you can choose from including daytime talk shows, late-night talk shows, comedy shows, news shows, and more.

Live TV show tapings are an easy way to see your favorite celebrities.

Because it is totally free to attend a live taping, there is some competition to get tickets. Each show taped in NYC has its own ticket request method.

Some require that you request tickets months in advance, and some have same-day seats available.

This post provides specific information for each of the shows we discuss.

Also, depending on the show’s studio check-in procedures, some tapings will take up more of your day than others.

Generally, you will spend two hours checking in, going through security, and being seated. Add on the hours of the show taping and plan your schedule accordingly.

TIP: If you are really into TV and movies, you might be interested in an NYC TV and Movie Sights Tour, which is included for free with several NYC tourist discount passes.


LATE-NIGHT TALK SHOWS

The below shows air in the evenings, generally after 11 p.m.

However, the tapings occur earlier in the night. The exception is Saturday Night Live which broadcasts live.

Click on the show you are interested in for all the details of getting tickets.


Saturday Night Live

This iconic comedy show broadcasts live on...you guessed it, Saturday nights! Below we provide a summary of getting tickets.

For an in-depth explanation of getting tickets and some fun history of SNL, see our post on how to get Saturday Night Live Tickets (or Standby Tickets).

NOTE: The ticket lottery for SNL's 2023-2024 season has officially closed. The next ticket lottery for the 2024-2025 season will begin on August 1, 2024, and run throughout the entire month.

Starting next August 1-31, email your ticket request to snltickets@nbcuni.com.

Include your full name, email address, and the reason why you would like to be a part of SNL's live studio audience. 

Only one entry is allowed per household, so you and your family members can’t send separate entries.


If selected:

  • You will receive two tickets for a specific date. They are given randomly; you cannot pick your dates when you enter.
  • Your two tickets will be either for the live taping (11:30 p.m.) or the dress rehearsal (8 p.m.).
  • You must be at least 16 years of age to attend the show.
  • You will only be notified if you are selected.

If you aren’t selected (but want to try anyway):

Try to get standby tickets. The line is on the 48th Street side of 30 Rockefeller Plaza and tickets are distributed at 7 am on the day of the show.

Be warned: you are in for a long wait. People often camp out overnight to get standby tickets.

You are required to stay in line the whole time (except for short, necessary breaks.)

Tickets are first-come, first-served and do not guarantee entry into the show. You can elect to be on standby for either the dress rehearsal or the live taping.

Be sure to see our post on how to get Saturday Night Live Tickets (or Standby Tickets).


The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

New York TV Show Tickets

This show tapes Monday through Friday at 5 p.m. The show airs on weeknights at 11:35 pm EST on NBC.

How To Get Tickets:

For more information, see our in-depth post on how to get tickets to the Tonight Show. Here's a summary:

Tickets are released about a month in advance, so it is possible to plan ahead for this one in conjunction with your trip.

The first step is to sign up with 1iota, the website that handles many TV taping ticket requests. This applies to any shows that use 1iota to process requests.

After you sign up with 1iota, they will direct you to The Tonight Show's website to see what dates are available.

The video explains how to request tickets once you have created a 1iota account.


If you get tickets:

  • The person who reserved the tickets must be present. They will check IDs to match names.
  • No groups larger than four people may book.
  • No bags larger than small purses will be allowed in.
  • No cameras, phones, or electronics of any kind will be allowed into the taping.
  • No one under the age of 16 may attend the taping.
  • Those attending are asked to keep to a “smart casual” dress code.

If you don’t get tickets:

Standby tickets (referred to as "standby cards") are distributed from 10 am to 3 pm on the morning of a show at the "Shop at NBC Studios" at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

Standby tickets do not guarantee entry into the show.

If you don’t make it by 9 a.m., you can inquire about standby tickets at the NBC Experience Store.

If you don't get tickets, why not take our self-guided tour of Midtown Manhattan since you are already in the area?


Late Show with Stephen Colbert

The show airs at 11:35 pm EST/PST on CBS. Tapings occur once a day on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. On Thursdays, two tapings occur.

Tapings run from 5:30 pm to 7 pm at the famed Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway between 53rd and 54th Streets.

Be sure to read our post on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert for detailed information on the show and tickets.


How To Get Tickets:

Ticket requests can be made for the following month at the start of the current month. You can request up to two tickets per person.

Ticket requests go through 1iota, a company that handles ticket requests for many of the shows in this post.

Submitting a request puts you on a waitlist to have your request processed.

Ticket requests are processed between two weeks and up to 24 hours before the show date.

The video below explains the waitlist process.


If your ticket request is approved, you’ll get an email asking you to confirm your attendance.

Find out more about the process from 1iota's FAQ section.

For detailed information on how to get tickets, read our post for the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.


The Daily Show

Tickets for the Daily Show with Trevor Noah

The Daily Show tapes at 4 pm, Monday through Thursday at 733 Eleventh Ave between 51st and 52nd Streets.

The show airs on weeknights at 11:00 p.m. on Comedy Central.

Note that Noah no longer hosts the show, but an announcement was made in Jan 2024 that Jon Stewart will be returning to the show beginning Feb 12th, 2024.

How To Get Tickets:

Read our full guide to getting tickets to the taping of the Daily Show. Here is a summary:


If you get tickets:

  • You must arrive no later than 4:30 pm. If you arrive before the rest of your party, you can pick up only your ticket. The others must pick theirs up by 4 p.m., or they may be given away.
  • The taping usually lasts until 7 or 7:30 p.m.
  • You must be 18 or older.
  • You may not bring recording devices of any kind.
  • The show is sometimes overbooked, so having a reservation does not guarantee entry into the taping!

If you don't get tickets:

Keep trying. Unfortunately, The Daily Show does not give out standby tickets.


Late Night With Seth Meyers

Late Night is taped at the NBC Studios Monday through Thursday at 4:00 p.m., with check-in from 2:45 p.m.

The show airs on NBC in the 12:35 a.m. time slot.

Below is a summary but for in-depth information on getting tickets, be sure to read our detailed post.

How To Get Tickets:

Tickets are usually released about a month in advance, for example, tickets for June tapings will become available at the beginning of May.

You can book tickets in advance. Typically they are released 4-6 weeks in advance.

Like other shows in this post, ticket requests go through the 1iota website.

If you get tickets:

  • You may get up to 4 tickets at one time.
  • The reservation holder must attend. The tickets will only be released to the person who reserved them.
  • You may only reserve tickets once every 4 months.
  • You must be at least 16 years old to attend Late Night with a valid ID.
  • Any cancellations must be at least 24 hours in advance.
  • You will not be allowed to bring any large bags, phones, cameras, or other electronics into the studio. 

Standby Tickets:

Currently, Late Night does not offer standby tickets.


Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

The show tapes on Sundays at 6:15 p.m. It airs on Sundays at 11 p.m. on HBO.

It is taped west of Midtown at the CBS Broadcast Center at 530 West 57th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues (map).


How To Get Tickets:

You request your tickets at their website Last Week Tonight.

There you can request tickets for tapings approximately 33 days in advance, and not before.

So for example, tickets for September 29 become available on August 27 at 2 pm.

Tickets for October 6 become available on September 3 at 2 p.m., etc.

Ticket lotteries will be held on Tuesdays at 3 pm EST(subject to change)

Note: Because there is such a high demand for tickets, they ask – practically beg – that if you attended any prior taping, please don’t apply again.

Do NOT enter multiple times in the same lottery or you will be eliminated from that lottery.


If selected:

  • There is a four-ticket limit per request.
  • You must be at least 18 to attend.
  • You must arrive 40 minutes before taping.
  • You'll need a photo ID with the name matching the reservation to claim your tickets.
  • Large packages, shopping bags, suitcases, and backpacks are not allowed in the studio.
  • The suggested dress code is “smart/casual”.
  • Taping studios often run cold, so bring a jacket or sweater to wear inside.

Standby:

Most years, there is no official standby line. But for the 2024 season, there will be a standby line this season.

Please do not line up or come to the studio prior to 3:15 p.m. on any Saturday we are taping the show.

Note that Standby tickets are extremely limited.

TIP: Follow the show on Twitter for updates on last-minute ticket availability.


Full Frontal With Samantha Bee

Full Frontal

The show tapes on Wednesdays at 5:45 pm (airs every Monday at 10:30 pm on TBS) at the CBS Broadcast Center at 528 West 57th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues.

Because the studios are a bit out far west of Midtown, use this link to get exact directions.


How To Get Tickets:

First, before requesting tickets, make sure everyone in your group is 18 years or older.

If not, don’t bother filing a request form as there is an age requirement.

If that isn’t an issue, go to this website, The Blacklist NYC - Full Frontal Show, to request tickets.

On the website, you will be able to see show dates for the upcoming four Wednesdays. You will be asked to select a date and an alternate date.

Since they offer tickets for shows as soon as that upcoming Wednesday, they require that you live in the New York City area or will be in NYC during the filming week to be eligible for tickets.

While you can request your tickets when you are NOT in NYC, you should plan to be in NYC for the dates you select.

This means in effect that it isn’t a show you want to try to see if you are only in town for a few days.

After you submit your request, you will immediately get an acknowledgment email. After that point, you will not hear anything back from them unless you are granted tickets.

If you are selected for tickets, within 5-7 business days of your request, you will get an email with detailed information about attending the show.

If you are selected for tickets:

  • Must be 18 or older to attend the show
  • Arrive by 5 pm

The Problem With Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart's new show airs on AppleTV+ every two weeks.

No calendar dates are listed on the show's tickets website, so currently it is not possible to see the show being taped.


DAYTIME SHOWS

Many talk shows and news shows air during the day. Some broadcast live and others are taped in advance.

Click on the link to the show you are interested in for all the details on getting tickets.

Note that there are no daytime game shows filmed in NYC. You can see game show tapings in Los Angeles though!


Good Morning America

GMA airs live Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

The "studio" is actually in an enclosed area outside, in front of the show's actual studio!

The studio is in Times Square on the corner of West 44th Street and Broadway. Since you will be done by 10:30 a.m., why not explore Times Square?

To be part of the live studio audience, you have to be willing to get up pretty early as you must check in no later than 7:15 am

Tickets are free and you can request them up to 25 days in advance. Check their website for details.

Be sure to check out the GMA Summer Concert Series!

Free concerts by top musicians for those who can get up really early in the morning are certainly a highlight of the summer!


The Today Show

Today Show

The Today Show does not have a studio audience, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be a part of it!

The Today Show invites anyone and everyone to join them outside of their studios in Rockefeller Center.

This is a good option for those traveling with kids since most live tapings have some kind of age limit.

On weekdays the show is filmed outside from 7 am until 9 am

At that point, the show and anchors move inside but you can stay and watch from the window and possibly be seen on camera!


How to attend:

Though not required, the show recommends that you RSVP so your check-in process will go more smoothly. RSVP here.

On the day you want to go, gather outside Studio 1A on 48th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues.

Use the entrance at 48th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues where you will have to pass through a security check.

Note that Mondays and Fridays are the busiest days. On Sunday the show starts at 8 am so try to arrive 45 minutes earlier.


Tips for maximum fun:

  • Bring a poster and fun signs - the wackier the better. The Today Show likes people to have fun! Mondays and Fridays are the busiest days.
  • For a better chance to meet the hosts and be seen on TV, get on the line to get a spot behind the barricades that surround the plaza by 6:30 am.
  • Find a great spot (and tell your friends watching at home where they can see you)

Today Show Concert Series

Every summer, the Today Show holds free, short concerts outside their studios. The lineups feature some of the top performers of the day.

Get there by 6 a.m.. for the best spots. Find out more here.

TIP: There are so many free concerts in the summer in NYC, You should check our summer guide as well as our posts for May, June, July, and August to see who's playing.


Rachael Ray Show

The Rachael Ray Show is free to attend and tapes at Chelsea Television Studios, 221 West 26th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.

The show tapes 3 a day on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The times are:

  • 11:00 am (arrive by 10:00 am)
  • 2:30 pm (arrive by 1:30 pm)
  • 4:15 pm (arrive by 3:15 pm)

How To Get Tickets:

  • Submit a form to their website. Do NOT submit more than one form or else your request will be made void.
  • Guests will NOT receive a confirmation email upon submission. Instead, they will contact guests with available taping dates if granted tickets.
  • Guests will receive their tickets via email 2 weeks before the show.
  • Groups are allowed but must fill out a different form.

If You Get Tickets:

  • All guests who are 16 years of age and older must bring a valid photo ID
  • Guests under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult
  • Guests are encouraged to dress business casual. For a full list of their dress code policy, click here.
  • Food, drink, weapons, large bags, cameras, or gum are NOT allowed in the studio.

Standby Tickets:

To get a standby voucher, arrive at the studio at 10:00 am for the 11:00 am taping, at 12:00 pm for the 1:30 pm taping, and at 3:15 pm for the 4:15 pm taping.

A standby voucher does not guarantee a ticket to the show.


The View

The View

The View airs live in front of a studio audience from Monday- Friday 11:00 am -12:00 pm.

Guests can reserve tickets to attend a free taping on their website.


How To Get Tickets:

Read our full post on getting tickets to The View for more information on the show and tickets.

Below are some things to know:

If You Get Tickets:

  • Guests must be at least 16 years of age.
  • Guests are required to adhere to a rather strict dress code. No tank tops, large logos, t-shirts, or solid white or black tops are allowed. Guests are encouraged to dress "upscale casual," and look trendy or fashionable. For a full list of their dress code policy, click here.
  • Photography is permitted but only during designated times of the taping.
  • No food or drink is allowed, and guests are required to go through a security check.

LIVE! with Kelly and Mark

It is not that complicated to get tickets to see Kelly Ripa and her co-host/husband Mark Consuelos, and they are lots of fun to see.

Read our full post LIVE! with Kelly and Mark tickets for all the details and tips on getting tickets.

Here's a summary:

  • The show tapes Monday through Friday starting at 9:00 a.m. Tapings generally last 60-90 minutes.
  • Ticket availability is posted one month at a time, usually about 17 days in advance of that month.
  • The show tapes at the ABC Studios on Columbus Avenue and 67th Street, just a block west of Central Park.

Fox and Friends

As of 2024, Fox and Friends does not have a live audience.

The show airs live from 6 am - 9 am from Fox Studio’s famed “Studio F” at 1211 Avenue of the Americas at the corner of 47th St.

The show's audience is kept very small with about 50 people. This means that the chances of being selected to be in the audience are pretty slim.


TV STUDIO TOURS

Although many shows are taped in New York City, there is only one studio tour you can take, the NBC Studio Tour.

Fortunately, the NBC Studio Tour is a fantastic experience.

To find out more about this tour, including prices, schedules, and reviews, read our in-depth post on the NBC Studio Tour.

Currently, there are no ABC Studio tours, Fox Studio tours, or CBS Studio tours.


OTHER SHOWS

Inside the Actors Studio

This show is hosted by Frazier star Kelsey Grammer, who conducts one-on-one interviews with well-known actors and actresses from film and TV.

The audience is filled with faculty and students of Pace University where the show is hosted.

There is some room for members of the general public, but the audience is quite small.

Specific taping dates are not listed on their website as the show tapes sporadically.

To find out about upcoming tapings, send an email to insidetheactorsstudio@pace.edu.

To try to get into the audience, join the standby line one hour prior to the taping time. The line forms at the Schimmel Center at 3 Spruce Street.

Tickets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, based on availability.

There is no guarantee you will get a seat, so have a backup plan on what to do with that time instead.

Luckily, you will be in Lower Manhattan which has tons of things to do. See our post on things to do in Lower Manhattan.


Movies Filmed In New York City

A complete list of movies that were filmed in NYC is too long to include in this post.

But here are a few that we have written about and even created self-guided tours of some of the filming locations.

Ghostbusters was filmed all over New York City as was When Harry Met Sally. Many superhero movie locales can be visited as well.

With so many holiday movies filmed here, you may want to take an NYC Christmas Movie Tour.

Also, you may like a Central Park Movie and TV Tour.

If you like TV series, check out our post on TV Shows Based In NYC, including Sex and the City, Friends, Seinfeld, and many more!


Related Posts:

About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.
Updated: March 8th, 2024
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