Primary Studio and Production Location
Dancing with the Stars is primarily recorded at the CBS Studio Center in Studio City, Los Angeles, California. The show uses soundstages within the Radford Studio Center lot for most of its seasons. Production is handled by BBC Studios and MGM Television under the executive oversight of the network. The facility provides multiple stages for simultaneous rehearsals and live broadcasts. All major set builds, audience seating, and backstage areas are housed on this lot. Details on the studio lot and production logistics are available through industry reports.
The main stage used for the live shows is a custom-built set that occupies a large soundstage at the facility. This stage features multiple levels, LED walls, and a dedicated audience section. Lighting rigs and camera platforms are permanently rigged above the stage floor. The production team modifies the set design each season to match the theme. Rehearsals for the professional dancers and contestants take place in adjacent studios on the same lot. The campus also houses editing suites, wardrobe departments, and makeup trailers for the cast.
Broadcast and Taping Schedule
Episodes are taped on specific weekdays before the live broadcast date. The taping schedule typically runs Sunday through Thursday, with the live show airing on Monday. The audience is seated in the studio during the taping and watches the performance live. The taping process allows for multiple takes and camera angles to be captured in a controlled environment. Post-production editing is completed in the same facility before the final broadcast cut is sent to the network. BBC Studios outlines the production workflow for the series.
Live broadcasts are transmitted from the same Studio City facility to CBS and streaming platforms. The show uses a multi-camera setup with over 30 cameras covering the stage and audience. Audio is captured using a mix of boom microphones and wireless lavalier systems on the dancers. The control room on site manages the live switch, graphics, and replay feeds. A dedicated satellite uplink sends the live signal from the studio to the CBS broadcast center. The entire process from taping to airing follows a strict weekly timeline.
Company and Network Oversight
The production is a joint effort between BBC Studios and MGM Television, with Disney Entertainment serving as the distributor. The show airs on ABC and is also available on the Disney+ streaming service. Executive producers oversee casting, choreography, and the overall creative direction from the Los Angeles offices. The network and production companies coordinate with local authorities for permits and security on the studio lot. SEC filings for the parent companies detail the production structure and financial reporting for the show.
MGM Television manages the day-to-day production operations, including crew hiring, set construction, and talent coordination. BBC Studios handles the international distribution and format licensing for the Dancing with the Stars brand. The show follows a format originally created by the BBC, adapted for the American audience by the production teams. Contestants and professional dancers are contracted through the production companies for the season duration. All legal agreements, including performer contracts and music licensing, are managed by the production offices in Los Angeles.