‘Saturday Night Live’ Ratings Surge to Three-Year High

Updated June 02, 2025

“Saturday Night Live” (SNL) concluded ⁢its 50th season ​with notable gains in viewership. The late-night comedy show averaged 8.1 million viewers,according to Nielsen’s‍ Live +⁣ 7 data. This marks a ‌12% increase compared to the previous season and represents the highest average since Season 47.

The SNL ratings success⁣ extends beyond traditional television. ‍The⁤ “SNL50: The Anniversary Special,” which aired Feb. ⁢16,‌ drew 14.8⁤ million⁣ viewers initially, but that number swelled to 22.8 ​million across platforms after 35⁤ days, according to NBCUniversal.

SNL’s Season 50 also excelled ​among ⁢adults⁢ ages 18-49, ranking as the No. 1 broadcast series, excluding sports⁤ and news. It also claimed​ the ⁣top spot among broadcast and‍ cable comedies for the sixth ⁣consecutive season.

The show’s strong social media presence further amplified its reach.Season 50 and the anniversary special garnered a combined 7.7 billion views ⁤across various platforms, according ‌to ‌NBCUniversal. The Oct. 12 episode, featuring Ariana Grande and Stevie Nicks, led with 712 million views. A sketch from⁤ that episode, “Domingo: bridesmaid Speech,” ⁢was the most-watched, amassing 171 million views.

“To see the show honor its legacy while still pushing boundaries was incredible.The strong ratings this season‌ are a testament to how deeply ‘SNL’ continues to resonate with audiences,”

—‌ Katie Hockmeyer,​ executive ⁤vice president of late night⁤ at NBCUniversal Entertainment

Hockmeyer‍ added that​ after‌ five decades, SNL’s cultural⁣ impact remains significant, continuing ⁣to provide​ laughter and shape cultural ⁤trends.

What’s next

Looking‍ ahead, “Saturday Night Live” is expected to continue its blend of topical‍ humor and celebrity guests, aiming to maintain its relevance and appeal to a broad audience in⁣ its upcoming​ seasons.