✦ Edited and fact-checked by Sports Editor Taylor Kujawa.
A look at the new era of SNL
After a landmark 50th season, Saturday Night Live is heading into a new, transitional era for Season 51. I was sad to see talented players like Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner leave the show, and their absence will definitely be felt.
Lorne Michaels’ future with the show is a hot topic of discussion lately. While rumors have swirled about his potential retirement, he’s confirmed to stay on as the show’s creator and executive producer.
The cast turnover means this season will see some changes. But one thing that won’t change is how you tune in. As always, Saturday Night Live will air on its flagship network, NBC, making it available for viewers with any traditional TV plan. For cord-cutters, new episodes will stream live on Peacock, with on-demand viewing available the next day.
In this guide, I outline how to watch SNL every weekend this season. I’ll cover all your options, including how to watch Saturday Night Live without cable so that you can catch each episode with ease.
SNL Season 51 TV schedule and key updates
Season 51 is shaping up to be a big one for Saturday Night Live. With several shifts in the cast and the departure of key writers like Celeste Yim and Steven Castillo, the show is heading into the fall with a fresh feel. On top of the talent changes, the series is also scheduled to air its historic 1,000th episode in early 2026.
It all kicks off on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 11:30 p.m. ET. Bad Bunny returns to host for the second time, joined by musical guest Doja Cat.
To stay updated on every episode this season, check out the TV schedule below. I’ll be updating it regularly as new hosts and musical guests are revealed.
SNL Season 51’s complete episode list and air dates
| Episode # | Host | Musical guest | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 989 | Bad Bunny | Doja Cat | Oct. 4, 2025 |
| 990 | Amy Poehler | Role Model | Oct. 11, 2025 |
| 991 | Sabrina Carpenter | Sabrina Carpenter | Oct. 18, 2025 |
| 992 | TBA | TBA | Nov. 1, 2025 |
| 993 | TBA | TBA | Nov. 8, 2025 |
| 994 | TBA | TBA | Nov. 15, 2025 |
| 995 | TBA | TBA | Dec. 6, 2025 |
| 996 | TBA | TBA | Dec. 13, 2025 |
| 997 | TBA | TBA | Dec. 20, 2025 |
Data effective as of post date.
Meet the cast of SNL Season 51
The SNL cast has experienced a wave of change this season. With Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim gone, I was bracing for major departures—and that’s exactly what we got. Still, it’s always exciting to see how new talent will mesh with the established veterans.
Repertory players
While I’m not happy to see Ego leave, I’m glad there’s still a core group of veterans returning to anchor the show. This season’s repertory cast includes longtime members Michael Che, Mikey Day, Chloe Fineman, Colin Jost, Kenan Thompson, and Bowen Yang. There’s also the always-funny bunch of Andrew Dismukes, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, and Sarah Sherman.
Having Kenan back for a record 23rd season alongside the long-running Weekend Update duo of Che and Jost provides a ton of stability.
The longest tenured cast member of SNL, Kenan Thompson shows no signs of stopping anytime soon on the #SNL50 Anniversary Special red carpet. pic.twitter.com/W10FQ2v2HO
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 17, 2025
Featured players
The featured players list is where the big changes are happening. Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline are returning, but five new-ish faces will join them.
The first-year class of featured players consists of stand-up comics Tommy Brennan and Kam Patterson, improv performer Jeremy Culhane, and social media comedian Veronikaw Slowikowska. I’m most excited to see Ben Marshall, a former writer and member of the Please Don’t Destroy trio, step in front of the camera as a featured player.
Pro tip: If you want to catch up on classic sketches or watch the full SNL library, Peacock is your only option, and it’s a solid service overall. In our latest CableTV.com customer satisfaction survey, Peacock earned an impressive 76% overall satisfaction rating. That put it ahead of Hulu (75%) and right behind top-rated services like Netflix (80%).
Having the entire SNL catalog in one place makes Peacock an essential subscription for any serious fan. In an era where nearly half of streamers feel overwhelmed by the number of services on the market, that kind of consolidation is a huge plus.
Saturday Night Live FAQ
How can I watch SNL Season 51 live?
The best way to watch new episodes of SNL is live on NBC and Peacock every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET. You can watch NBC for free with a simple TV antenna because it’s an over-the-air channel. Considering that 61% of cable users keep their service for things like live sports and local channels, an antenna is a great, affordable option.
Where can I stream full episodes of SNL Season 51?
Peacock is the streaming home for SNL. New episodes are available to stream live with a Peacock Premium plan. Episodes are also available on demand the day after they air.
Can I watch older seasons of SNL?
Yes, you can watch the entire SNL back catalog on Peacock, which carries every episode from all 50 seasons. But most older episodes are edited down from their original broadcast versions. Due to music rights issues, many musical performances have been cut, especially from seasons 6 through 40.
Is it possible to watch SNL without a cable TV subscription?
Yes, there are more ways than ever to watch shows like SNL. While tuning into NBC with a traditional antenna is an option, you can also watch live using a live TV streaming service that carries NBC. Services such as Stream with DIRECTV, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV carry the show live, as it airs. You can also stream the show live on Peacock.
How can I get tickets to see SNL live?
Free tickets are available through the SNL ticket lottery, which accepts submissions annually during August. Since this season’s window is already closed, your next best option is to request a standby ticket reservation, which opens at 10:00 a.m. ET on the Thursday of every live show week.
