If you’ve been anywhere near a television or a social media feed lately, you know the vibe is heavy on nostalgia. Saturday Night Live is hitting the big five-zero. It’s wild to think about. A show that started as a weird experiment in 1975 is now basically the institutional backbone of American comedy. Naturally, everyone is asking the same thing: what time is snl 50th anniversary show and how do I actually watch this three-hour behemoth?
Honestly, navigating TV schedules in 2026 is a mess. You’ve got streaming apps, cable channels, and "live events" that sometimes aren't actually live depending on where you live. For the SNL 50th, NBC isn't playing around. They’ve blocked out a massive chunk of primetime to make sure this thing feels like the Super Bowl of comedy.
The Clock is Ticking: What Time is SNL 50th Anniversary Show?
The main event, officially titled SNL50: The Anniversary Celebration, is scheduled to air live on Sunday, February 16, 2025. Yeah, you read that right—it's a Sunday night, not the usual Saturday slot.
The "what time" part is pretty straightforward but depends on your time zone. The three-hour special kicks off at 8 p.m. ET. If you’re on the West Coast, that means a 5 p.m. PT start if you're watching the live feed.
- Eastern Time: 8:00 p.m.
- Central Time: 7:00 p.m.
- Mountain Time: 7:00 p.m. (usually tape-delayed, check local listings)
- Pacific Time: 5:00 p.m. (live) or 8:00 p.m. (standard primetime)
Now, if you’re a die-hard who wants the full experience, don’t just show up at 8. There’s a red carpet special starting an hour earlier at 7 p.m. ET. Willie Geist and Leslie Jones are hosting the NBC version, which is basically the pre-game show where they try to corral chaotic legends into saying something coherent before the real show starts.
Where to Watch the 50th Anniversary Special
Basically, if it has an NBC logo, it’s probably showing SNL. But here is the breakdown of the platforms.
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NBC Broadcast: The old-school way. Just turn on your TV. This is the most reliable way to avoid the "spinning wheel of death" during a live stream.
Peacock: If you’ve cut the cord, Peacock is your best friend here. They are streaming the whole thing live. Since the show is three hours long, having a "restart" button on the app is kind of a lifesaver if you miss the first few sketches.
E! Network: Usually, E! carries the red carpet festivities, so if you want to see the fashion (or lack thereof) from 50 years of comedy writers, that’s your spot.
What Actually Happens During Those Three Hours?
This isn’t just a regular episode. There isn't a single "host" in the traditional sense. Instead, expect a parade of titans. We’re talking about the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" meeting the 2026 cast.
Rumors have been flying about who is actually showing up. We know for a fact that the big guns like Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, and Tina Fey are involved. But the real magic of these anniversary shows is the weird pairings. Remember the 40th? You had Miley Cyrus singing Paul Simon and Dan Aykroyd doing the Blues Brothers with Jim Belushi.
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The 50th is leaning even harder into the music. Paul McCartney and Miley Cyrus are on the list. There's even talk of a "Homecoming Concert" happening earlier in the week (Friday, Feb 14) that streams exclusively on Peacock. If you’re a music nerd, that’s actually the secret "must-watch" event of the weekend.
Why Sunday Instead of Saturday?
It feels wrong, doesn't it? Saturday Night Live on a Sunday?
The reason is simple: scale. NBC wanted the 50th to be a massive "event television" moment. Sundays have higher viewership numbers, and by moving it to Sunday, they could expand the show to three hours without bumping the local news or the usual 11:30 p.m. slot. Plus, it gives them the chance to do a full "anniversary weekend."
A Look Back at Why This Matters
It's hard to explain to people who didn't grow up with it, but SNL basically invented the way we consume satire. Before Lorne Michaels took over Studio 8H, variety shows were all sequins and polite tap dancing.
Then came the coneheads. The land sharks. The "Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger" guys.
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The 50th anniversary isn't just a clip show. It's a victory lap. There were so many times people said SNL was "dead" or "not funny anymore." Usually, they said that about three years after they personally stopped watching it. Yet, here we are in 2026, and the show is still the most influential platform for a comedian to land.
Actionable Tips for the Best Viewing Experience
If you’re planning to host a watch party or just want to make sure you don't miss the cold open, here is how you should prep.
- Check your Peacock login now. Don't wait until 7:59 p.m. to realize you forgot your password or need to update the app on your smart TV.
- Clear three and a half hours. These specials always run long. The 40th anniversary went over its time slot, and with the ego-density of the 50th, expect some heartfelt speeches to push the "goodnights" past 11 p.m.
- Watch the "50 Seasons in 50 Days" clips. SNL has been dropping these on YouTube leading up to the special. It’s a great way to prime your brain for the deep-cut references they’ll definitely be making.
- The "Homecoming Concert" is the sleeper hit. If you want the music without the sketches, make sure you catch the Friday night stream on Peacock at 8 p.m. ET.
Getting the timing right for what time is snl 50th anniversary show is the first step. The next is just sitting back and hoping they bring back the "Celebrity Jeopardy" set one last time. There is something comforting about a show that has stayed in the same building for half a century while the rest of the world changed.
To stay ahead of any last-minute schedule shifts, you can set an alert on the NBC app or follow the official SNL account on X (formerly Twitter), where they usually post a "live in 30 minutes" countdown.