CBS News is reportedly planning to move its “CBS Mornings” team from its Times Square studio, according to The New York Post. “CBS Mornings,” a relatively low-rated morning program, currently broadcasts from Studio 1515 in Times Square (1515 Broadway). The network will relocate the show to Studio 57 at the CBS Broadcast Center, sharing space with “CBS Evening News.”
The move, slated for 2024, is primarily driven by cost-cutting measures. Relocating from the satellite complex within the Paramount Global building will save on studio maintenance and operational costs. CBS plans to consolidate some management and operational roles, reducing payroll. The existing infrastructure at the Broadcast Center allows for shared resources among various programs, further contributing to cost reduction.
The decision to move follows a similar relocation for "CBS Evening News" from Washington, D.C., to New York, where it now utilizes an LED volume in Studio 57. This allows for flexible and versatile set designs. "CBS Mornings" may adapt its current look to this new environment, utilizing the LED volume capabilities.
The Times Square studio, originally built for 2020 election coverage, offered sweeping city views. However, the set design largely obscured these views, limiting its practical benefits. In contrast, both ABC’s “Good Morning America” and NBC’s “Today” have street-level access, enabling greater interaction with audiences. “Good Morning America” is also planning a move from Times Square in 2025.
One of CBS’s previous morning shows, “The Early Show,” used a remote studio from 2008, located in a different part of New York. Two previous versions of “CBS This Morning” also operated from the CBS Broadcast Center. The move to Times Square was viewed by some as a curious choice, since the studio’s potential for audience interaction was limited.