‘Saturday Night Live’ 50th anniversary special watched by nearly 15 million people

NBC says The “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary celebration was watched by nearly 15 million viewers

ByThe Associated Press

February 17, 2025, 7:24 PM

NEW YORK — The “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary celebration is NBC’s most-watched prime-time entertainment telecast in five years, reaching nearly 15 million viewers.

Sunday night’s 3½ hour extravaganza packed with comedy sketches, superstar musical performances and unexpected cameos, delivered the biggest audience for the network for a night-time entertainment show since the 2020 Golden Globes.

Only the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a bigger viewership draw in recent years, NBC said Monday.

The viewership totals for the “Saturday Night Live” special, which opened with Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter and Steve Martin delivering the opening monologue, include live streaming figures for Peacock, NBC’s streaming service.

The show featured numerous cameos, including Aubrey Plaza, Meryl Streep, Jack Nicholson and stars who have appeared on the variety show since it first aired in October 1975. Paul McCartney delivered the closing musical number and the iconic “SNL” stage brimmed with stars as the show ended Sunday night.

Read More

  • Related Posts

    Saturday Night Live writer desperate for answers amid search for sister who disappeared six months ago

    By MELISSA KOENIG, US REPORTER Published: 00:07 EDT, 29 April 2026 | Updated: 04:41 EDT, 29 April 2026 A Saturday Night Live writer remains desperate for answers six months after his…

    ‘Night of deep pain’: Train collision in southern Spain leaves 21 dead

    Spain is reeling from its deadliest train accident in more than a decade, with the death toll of a high-speed train collision rising to at least 40 people as emergency…

    You Missed

    Rebel Wilson is asked ‘did you just make that up?’ as she steps into the witness box at Charlotte MacInnes defamation trial

    • By poster
    • May 1, 2026
    • 1 views
    Rebel Wilson is asked ‘did you just make that up?’ as she steps into the witness box at Charlotte MacInnes defamation trial

    Aussie FIFO worker sacked for going skinny dipping wins $10,000 payout

    • By poster
    • May 1, 2026
    • 1 views
    Aussie FIFO worker sacked for going skinny dipping wins $10,000 payout

    Aussies laugh at huge fail as a FOURTH bin is slowly rolled out across Victoria

    • By poster
    • May 1, 2026
    • 1 views
    Aussies laugh at huge fail as a FOURTH bin is slowly rolled out across Victoria

    Newly engaged Zoe Kravitz shows off $1million diamond ring as details of Harry Styles proposal emerge

    • By poster
    • May 1, 2026
    • 1 views
    Newly engaged Zoe Kravitz shows off $1million diamond ring as details of Harry Styles proposal emerge

    Melania Trump stuns in yellow skirt suit as she joins husband Donald to greet King Charles and Queen Camilla for state visit

    • By poster
    • May 1, 2026
    • 1 views
    Melania Trump stuns in yellow skirt suit as she joins husband Donald to greet King Charles and Queen Camilla for state visit

    Paralympics hero’s son, 16, fights off hundreds of plucky racers wading across boggy riverbed to win annual Maldon Mud Race

    • By poster
    • May 1, 2026
    • 1 views
    Paralympics hero’s son, 16, fights off hundreds of plucky racers wading across boggy riverbed to win annual Maldon Mud Race