Despite reaching its 50th year on screen in 2025, SNL 50: The Anniversary Special. Throughout this time, Saturday Night Live has introduced viewers to a broad range of comedic performers who became stars during their time on the series and went on to blockbuster careers.

While numerous Saturday Night Live cast are rumored to be leaving the series before season 51 begins, this isn’t due to dwindling ratings. On the contrary, Saturday Night Live season 50 was the show’s most-watched outing since the 2021-2022 season, and that is without even ing for the additional audience that SNL 50: The Anniversary Special pulled in. According to Variety:

“Season 50 hit an average of 8.1 million viewers according to Live + 7 data from Nielsen, meaning that seven days of viewing per episode were ed for. That marks an increase of 12% compared to Season 49, in addition to representing the highest average since Season 47, which aired from the fall of 2021 to the spring of 2022.”

Saturday Night Live Season 50 Was The Most-Watched Season Since 2021-2022

The Live Comedy Show Earned An Average Of Over 8 Million Viewers

This is an impressive achievement for any series, but it is particularly striking considering how long Saturday Night Live has been on the air. It would be unsurprising if the show’s relevance had waned in its half-century on NBC, but Saturday Night Live was the number 1 broadcast series of the 2024-2025 season among viewers aged 18-49. What makes this all the more impressive is the fact that the star-studded SNL 50: The Anniversary Special garnered an even bigger audience.

One particularly successful Saturday Night Live sketch featuring Ariana Grande managed to net a massive 171 million views across social media platforms.

14.8 million viewers tuned in to the special when it originally aired on February 16, and that number ballooned to 22.8 million when the next month of viewing across all platforms is ed for, proving the show isn’t struggling to find its audience. One particularly successful Saturday Night Live sketch featuring Ariana Grande managed to net a massive 171 million views across social media platforms after the episode aired.

What Saturday Night Live Season 50’s Improved Viewership Means For Season 51

The Veteran Comedy Series Is In A Great Position Once Again

Saturday Night Live’s lineup may change in the next season, but this is unlikely to hurt the show, given its current reliable popularity. Although 2024’s Saturday Night was a disastrous flop that lost millions at the box office, the series that the hagiographical movie was based on still managed to retain and grow its audience in its 50th year.

As Colin Jost is rumored to be leaving Saturday Night Live after season 50, losing such a recognizable face could result in some growing pains for the show. However, Saturday Night Live season 50’s ratings prove that the series is up to the challenge of selling viewers on new cast in the coming months.

Source: Variety

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