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Beyond The Ballroom: 5 Secrets Inside The Iconic Dancing With The Stars Studio 46

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For over two decades, the *Dancing with the Stars* ballroom has been the sparkling, high-stakes stage for celebrity transformation, but the true magic happens inside one of television’s most historic and legendary production facilities. As of the current season in late 2024, the show continues its dazzling, live production from a specific, massive soundstage in Los Angeles, a location steeped in TV history that is now facing a dramatic, multi-billion-dollar redevelopment that could change the face of Hollywood production forever.

The show's iconic home is not just a stage; it's a meticulously crafted environment that has evolved through network changes—from ABC to Disney+ and back again—yet remains a constant for the professional dancers and celebrity contestants. This deep dive reveals the precise studio location, the history of its massive ballroom floor, and the looming future of the entire complex.

The Official Home: Dancing with the Stars Studio 46 Profile

The production of *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS) takes place entirely within the confines of a single, sprawling studio complex. Unlike many reality shows that move locations, the DWTS ballroom has been a fixture in the heart of Los Angeles for most of its run.

  • Studio Complex Name: CBS Television City (often simply called "Television City")
  • Precise Studio Number: Studio 46
  • Address: 7800 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA
  • Owner: Hackman Capital Partners (since 2019, previously CBS)
  • First DWTS Air Date: June 1, 2005
  • Studio Size: Studio 46 is one of the larger soundstages on the lot, designed to accommodate massive sets, a full orchestra, and a live studio audience.
  • Other Notable Productions: Historically, Television City has been home to legendary shows like *The Carol Burnett Show*, *The Price Is Right*, and *American Idol* (which used the adjacent Studio 36).

1. The Secret of Studio 46: A Giant Among Soundstages

The show's home, Studio 46, is not just any room; it is one of the largest and most versatile soundstages at the Television City complex.

Added to the original Television City structure in the late 1980s, Studio 46 was built to handle large-scale, elaborate television productions. This massive size is crucial for DWTS because the production requires more than just the main ballroom floor. It must also accommodate the intricate lighting rigs, the multi-level bandstand for the live orchestra, the judges’ table, and the famous skybox where the couples await their scores.

The space is so expansive that it has also been used for other major live events, including the finale episodes of *Survivor*. This flexibility is what makes Studio 46 a prime piece of real estate in the Los Angeles production world.

2. The Unseen Pressure: The $1.25 Billion Television City Redevelopment

The biggest, most pressing secret about the DWTS studio is its uncertain future. In a crucial and recent development, the entire Television City complex, purchased by Hackman Capital Partners in 2019, is undergoing a massive, multi-billion-dollar overhaul.

This redevelopment project, estimated to cost around $1.25 billion, aims to transform the historic lot into a "21st-century studio" with new soundstages, production offices, and a mobility hub. While the current production of DWTS in 2024 is operating as usual, the long-term plan will dramatically affect the entire property.

The fate of the existing, iconic studios, including Studio 46, is a major point of discussion in Hollywood. The construction will be a phased, multi-year process. Producers must constantly plan around the construction schedule, raising questions about whether DWTS will eventually need to find a temporary, or even permanent, new home to accommodate the massive construction efforts. The show's long-term reliance on this specific production facility is now a potential logistical challenge.

3. The Disney+ Era: Why the Studio Never Moved

A significant, recent chapter in DWTS history was its move to the streaming platform Disney+ for Season 31, a monumental shift after 30 seasons on ABC.

Despite this historic change in network distribution, which made DWTS the first live series to stream on Disney+, the physical location remained the same: Studio 46 at Television City. This decision highlights the production team's commitment to the established structure of the studio.

The consistency of the physical studio was essential for maintaining the show's familiar feel, even as its viewership moved to streaming. The production returned to a simulcast format on both ABC and Disney+ for Season 32 and Season 33 (2024), but the anchor of the show—the iconic ballroom—never left its Los Angeles home. This continuity is a testament to the efficient use of the soundstage and its suitability for live television.

4. The Unseen Work: Where the Magic Is Made

While the main ballroom is the star, the DWTS production relies on a network of surrounding spaces to pull off its weekly live shows. The rehearsal studios are perhaps the most vital, yet unseen, part of the process.

  • Rehearsal Spaces: While the main show is at Television City, couples often utilize independent dance studios across the Los Angeles area for their daily practice sessions, including the famed Hollywood Dance Center.
  • Wardrobe and Costume Department: The elaborate costumes, often featuring thousands of rhinestones, are designed, created, and stored in dedicated spaces within the Television City complex, close to Studio 46 for quick changes.
  • The Skybox: The area where hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough interview the couples after their performance, often referred to as the "skybox," is strategically built into the periphery of the main stage, allowing for immediate, seamless transitions during the live broadcast.

The entire operation is a masterclass in live television logistics, utilizing every square foot of the massive studio space for choreography, costume fittings, and technical production.

5. Securing a Seat: How to Become Part of the Live Audience

The energy of the DWTS ballroom is fueled by the live audience, and getting a ticket is a popular quest for fans. Tickets are free but extremely limited and are managed by third-party audience coordination companies.

The process is competitive, but knowing the precise location is the first step. Audience members are directed to the Television City Studios-Genesee gate for check-in. The entire experience is a tightly controlled, high-energy event that begins hours before the show goes live.

If you plan to attend a taping, remember that the studio atmosphere is highly controlled for the cameras. The audience is an essential piece of the set design, with their reactions and energy being captured and broadcast to millions. The size of Studio 46 allows for a substantial, but still intimate, crowd, which is a key element that distinguishes the DWTS experience from larger arena shows.

The Future of the Ballroom

As Season 33 concludes and the Television City redevelopment moves forward, the future of Studio 46 remains a compelling topic. The show has proven its adaptability, moving between networks and hosts, but the physical location is the last constant. Whether the next few seasons will be affected by the construction or if the show will remain in its beloved, historic home is a question only time, and the Hackman Capital Partners construction timeline, will answer. For now, the sparkle of the DWTS ballroom continues to shine brightly from the heart of Los Angeles.

Beyond the Ballroom: 5 Secrets Inside the Iconic Dancing with the Stars Studio 46
dancing with the stars studio
dancing with the stars studio

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