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SNL Season 51 Dominates Broadcast Comedy Ratings
3 Jun
Summary
- Season 51 ranked No. 1 for broadcast comedy series in 18-49 demo.
- Total viewers increased 6% versus Season 49 and 5% versus Season 48.
- Most-watched episode featured Ariana Grande, drawing 10.1M viewers.
Saturday Night Live's 51st season has concluded, reaffirming its status as a top broadcast comedy. The series secured the number one position among comedy series in the crucial 18-49 demographic for its seventh consecutive season. This accomplishment highlights its continued relevance and appeal to younger audiences.
Season 51 also demonstrated viewership growth, with total viewers up by 6% compared to Season 49 and 5% compared to Season 48. This upward trend indicates a strengthening audience base. The season finale, hosted by Will Ferrell with musical guest Paul McCartney, saw a 9% increase in total viewers compared to the previous year's finale.
The most popular episode of the season was the December 20 installment, featuring Ariana Grande as host and Cher as musical guest. This episode garnered 10.1 million viewers across all platforms and achieved the highest social media engagement for the season.
Furthermore, the entire 2025-26 season amassed an impressive 8.2 billion views, representing a significant 98% surge over the prior season. On the streaming platform Peacock, the season premiere hosted by Bad Bunny and Doja Cat was the most-viewed telecast, with its sketch 'El Chavo Del Ocho' achieving the most views across social media.
