The Today Show

The Today Show Ticket Information

The show is broadcast from the plaza at the street level. People usually line up on 49th street, on the southeast corner, directly behind the anchor desk. Since it's a public open crowd location, they don't give regular tickets out. You can, however, do quite a few things that get you in the best position to talk to the stars and be on TV.

If you RSVP to the Today Show by going onto the Today Show website, you can some extra benefits:

• Meet the hosts of The Today Show after the show after 9 AM
• More likely to get your face on camera on the outside shots
• A chance to win a Fan Pass to the Toyota Concert Series
• Fan Passes give you priority access and you receive special access to the viewing area

What Time To Get a Good Spot?

You should come as early as 6:30 AM to receive a good view of the Today Show taping. If a popular celebrity stops by the show, people will start lining up as early as 5:00 AM. Today only films outdoors until 9:00 AM, but you can still be seen from inside.

The Today Show Show Schedule

The show is taped live from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM Monday to Friday.

The Today Show Broadcast Time

The show transmits weekdays at 7:00 AM EST to 9:00 AM on NBC and NBC Affiliates across the US.

The Today Show Age Requirements

The Today Show Host Profile

Current Hosts:

1. Savannah Guthrie (2012–present) – Co-anchor and chief legal correspondent, joined the show in 2011 and became main co-anchor in 2012.
2. Hoda Kotb (2018–present) – Joined the fourth-hour segment in 2008 and became the main co-anchor alongside Guthrie in 2018.
3. Al Roker (1996–present) – The show’s weather anchor, and a beloved figure on the show since the mid-1990s.
4. Craig Melvin (2018–present) – News anchor since 2018, having joined as a correspondent earlier.
5. Carson Daly (2013–present) – A regular contributor to "Today’s" Orange Room and digital segments.

Former Hosts:

2000s-2010s:

1. Meredith Vieira (2006–2011) – Co-anchor after Couric’s departure.
2. Ann Curry (2011–2012) – Briefly co-anchor before her high-profile exit.
3. Natalie Morales (2011–2016) – Served as news anchor and correspondent.

1980s-1990s:

1. Jane Pauley (1976–1989) – A long-serving anchor with a big impact on the show.
2. Bryant Gumbel (1982–1997) – Co-anchor for 15 years, popular during the '80s and '90s.
3. Deborah Norville (1990–1991) – Co-anchor for a brief period.
4. Katie Couric (1991–2006) – One of the most iconic hosts in the show's history.
5. Matt Lauer (1997–2017) – Co-anchor for two decades before his termination in 2017 due to sexual misconduct allegations.

1960s-1970s:

1. Hugh Downs (1962–1971) – Co-host during the show's early expansion in the '60s.
2. Barbara Walters (1966–1976) – First female co-anchor of a morning news show.
3. Frank McGee (1971–1974) – Took over the co-anchor role in the early '70s.
4. Tom Brokaw (1976–1981) – Co-anchor before moving to "NBC Nightly News."

1950s:

1. Dave Garroway (1952–1961) – The original host of "The Today Show."
2. Jack Lescoulie (1952–1957, 1958–1960) – News anchor and second banana to Garroway.
3. John Chancellor (1961–1962) – Took over after Garroway left.

Fourth-Hour Hosts:

1. Kathie Lee Gifford (2008–2019) – Co-hosted the fourth hour alongside Hoda Kotb.
2. Jenna Bush Hager (2019–present) – Currently co-hosts the fourth hour with Kotb.

The Today Show Background

The Today Show is a family-friendly show that is open to all ages. With over 50 years on the air, The Today Show is one of America's longest-running and best loved TV shows.

The lively morning program transmits every day from 7:00 AM to 9 AM from NBC's Studio 1A in New York City's quintessential Rockefeller Plaza. The Today Show premiered on the National Broadcasting Company network on the 14th of January in 1952, with radio announcer and TV personality Dave Garroway as host.

Audience Interaction and News Broadcasting

The Today Show's fun and exciting vibe is filled with a rare combination of audience interaction and news broadcasting, that can range from serious debates to up-to-the minute pop culture references. The fact that the show has lasted over 50 years is no surprise due to its diverse large audience. The show's location brings tourists from all over the world.

Diverse Audiences

The audience members hold banners and signs in the hopes of showing up on camera, to shout out family or friends from afar. Current hosts will often go up to audience members and ask them where they are from. Celebrities and musical guests will also take photos, sign autographs and talk to the audience as an added bonus.

The Plaza Is Open All Year Round

During the brisk winter season of New York City, the crowd will still stand outside of Studio 1A to take a peek at what is going on. However, more people come to Rockefeller Plaza in the heat of the summer for the incredible lineup on the Today Show's Concert Series hosted by Toyota.

Past Musical Artists

Past musical artists that have performed on the Today stage including Kenny Chesney, were Stevie Nicks, Ariana Grande, Maroon 5, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Iggy Azalea, Duran Duran, Kiss, 5 Seconds of Summer, Nico and Vinz, Ke$ha, One Direction, Fifth Harmony and many others.

Going to see The Today Show being taped is very popular and the audience consists of a wide range of people from across the nation. Many of whom make a point to visit the Today Show studio when they come to New York City as part of their trip.

The experience is a great choice for families, since most other TV shows do not allow children to attend their tapings.

Conceived by NBC's then Vice President Pat Weaver, The Today Show was the first show of its kind, bringing viewers two hours of news and human interest pieces every weekday morning.

Garroway's original laid back style and wide-ranging curiosity set the tone for The Today Show, which to this day continues to both entertain and inform its audience in an upbeat and relaxed setting.

The show does not only consist of news reports and musical entertainment but many other interesting segments. The Today Show often covers diverse subjects such as "How-to's," Health Tips and "Fashion Guides". Celebrity interviews are also jam-packed in the three hour morning show.

Although the Rockefeller center location plays a huge part in the show's success, past co-anchors like Barbara Walters have put the show on the map as one of the most effective live TV broadcasts. Notable hosts such as Tom Brokaw, Katie Couric and Bryant Gumbel all made their memorable marks on Today and future hosts will continue to follow in their footsteps.

The Today Show Notes

Noteworthy Dates For The Show:

• January 14, 1952: Show premiere
• June 16, 1961: Dave Garroway's departure
• October 2, 2000: Third Hour Show Added
• May 31, 2006: Katie Couric's Final Show
• September 10, 2007: Fourth Hour Added
• May 9, 2011: Natalie Morales joins Today show
• June 28, 2012: Ann Curry's Insulting Departure
• June 29, 2012, Natalie Morales replaces Ann Curry
• July 9, 2012: Savannah Guthrie joins cast
• September 16, 2013: Orange Room Launch
• November 27, 2017: Matt Lauer's firing for sexual harassment charges