NBC's telecast of the 'Saturday Night Live' 50th anniversary special has attracted millions of viewers, marking a significant milestone for the iconic sketch comedy show.
- Feb 18, 2025
AceShowbiz - "Saturday Night Live" has struck gold with its 50th anniversary special. The three-hour "SNL50" telecast garnered 14.8 million viewers across NBC and Peacock, according to Nielsen and internal data.
It achieved a 2.53 rating among adults 18-49, becoming NBC's most-watched primetime entertainment broadcast in five years.
Compared to other major events, "SNL50" nearly rivalled the 2025 Grammys (15.4 million viewers) and surpassed the 2025 Golden Globes (10.1 million) while it fell short of exceeding the Oscars (19.5 million in 2024).
The show's red carpet special, hosted by Willie Geist, Matt Rogers, and Leslie Jones, drew an additional 6.5 million viewers. It cemented the telecast as Peacock's most-watched entertainment simulcast, though it was surpassed by three telecasts of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Throughout the night, "SNL50" generated a record 8.7 million social interactions, making it NBC's most social entertainment telecast in two years and the highest-performing "SNL" episode to date.
The celebration also boosted ratings for regular "SNL" episodes this season, with the Timothee Chalamet-hosted episode setting a new record for Peacock.
"SNL50" featured a nostalgic return of beloved sketches and characters, including "Black Jeopardy," Kristen Wiig's Dooneese, and Bobby Moynihan's Drunk Uncle. Performances by Adam Sandler, Sabrina Carpenter, Lil Wayne, Miley Cyrus, and Paul McCartney further boosted the special episode.
Compared to SNL's 40th anniversary special, which drew 23.1 million viewers in 2015, "SNL50" attracted a slightly smaller audience, reflecting the ever evolving television landscape. However, its success highlights the enduring appeal of the iconic sketch comedy franchise.
