EXCLUSIVE: For the first time in Saturday Night LiveWith 46 seasons of history, the iconic sketch comedy program has reached an important milestone: the current season of SNL was ranked No. 1 among all comedies in both broadcast and cable TV in the adult audience aged 18 to 49 and in total viewers (Live + 7 for both categories).
This is the first time in the history of Nielsen measurement – dating from 1987 – that SNL was ranked as the number 1 comedy series in total viewers. SNL ‘The 46th season is also the best result for the series in four years, both in 18-49s and in total viewers. This is in comparison to the first seven episodes of each of those seasons.
In the first seven episodes of the season, SNL has an average of 4.1 out of 18-49 in total rating in linear and digital viewing (Live + 35), performing 27% above comparable episodes from last season and delivering the program’s best rating at this time of the season since 2016.
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SNL did not let the pandemic stop him from bringing the funny. At the end of season 45, they aired “At Home” iterations of the show that were recorded remotely starting with the Tom Hank-Chris Martin episode in April. The 46th season started in October with a studio production featuring SNL former student Chris Rock as a presenter and Megan Thee Stallion as a musical guest.
The viewing of full episodes on digital platforms has increased significantly compared to last year, currently at a pace of 64% above last season. To make things even sweeter, SNL is the current season’s No. 1 NBC show on Peacock.
SNL will return with five new consecutive shows starting this weekend with host John Krasinski and musical guest Machine Gun Kelly. Schitt’s Creek Emmy winner Dan Levy will make his debut as a presenter in the February 6 episode, with Phoebe Bridgers as a musical guest. Oscar winner and One night in Miami director Regina King will take the stage as a presenter on February 13 with Nathaniel Rateliff as a musical guest. Musical presenters and guests for the February 20 and 27 episodes will be announced at a later date.
SNL is produced in association with Broadway Video. The creator and executive producer is Lorne Michaels.