SNL50 Scores Nearly 15M Viewers

Source: Courtesy / Peacock

The 50th anniversary special of “Saturday Night Live” garnered an impressive 14.8 million viewers on average, marking a significant increase compared to the regular season viewership.

The special was NBC’s most-watched primetime entertainment telecast in five years and the fourth-most-watched entertainment telecast on Peacock, following three Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade telecasts.

Viewership for the special is expected to grow substantially through delayed viewing on Peacock and other digital platforms, with a 71% increase in viewership when accounting for seven days of delayed viewing.

The special received significant viewership on YouTube, with the “Black Jeopardy” sketch already reaching 2.8 million views, and generated 8.7 million social interactions, making it NBC’s most social entertainment telecast in two years.

The special featured celebrity guests and returning “SNL” cast members, including standout moments like Jack Nicholson introducing a song by Adam Sandler, Robert De Niro in Rachel Dratch’s “Debbie Downer” sketch, and musical performances by Sabrina Carpenter, Miley Cyrus, Brittany Howard, and Paul McCartney.

Source: https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/snl-50-ratings-viewers-anniversary-special-1236311110/