You missed the live broadcast. It happens. Maybe you were busy, or maybe you just didn't feel like sitting through three-plus hours of a primetime marathon on a Sunday evening. But now the internet is screaming about Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, and that "More Cowbell" deep dive, and you’re wondering where to watch SNL50 beyond Saturday night without getting spoiled by a stray TikTok.
Honestly, the "Saturday Night" part is almost a misnomer this time around. NBC didn't just throw a party; they built a museum of content. If you're looking for the big 50th Anniversary Special that aired on February 16, 2025, or the mountain of documentaries surrounding it, you have a few very specific paths to take.
The One Place That Has Everything
If you want the full experience, Peacock is basically the only answer. NBCUniversal owns the show, so they’ve locked it down. They didn't just upload the big three-hour special; they created a whole SNL 50 "universe" on the app.
The main event—the SNL50: The Anniversary Special—is sitting right there on the homepage. It’s a beast. Without commercials, the runtime clocks in at about 152 minutes. If you have Peacock Premium, you’ll see some ads. If you’re on Premium Plus, it’s a smooth, uninterrupted ride through five decades of sketch history.
But the 50th is more than just that one night.
I’m talking about SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, a four-part docuseries that premiered in January. It’s not just "best of" clips. It’s actual behind-the-scenes footage, stuff from the writers' room, and a look at the audition process that usually stays behind the curtain at Studio 8H.
Then there’s the music. Questlove co-directed a separate three-hour documentary called Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music. If you care about the history of the stage, from Nirvana to Chappell Roan, this is where you go. It’s on Peacock too.
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Can You Watch Without Peacock?
Kinda. But it’s messy.
If you’re a cable subscriber, you can head over to NBC.com or the NBC app. You’ll have to log in with your TV provider—think Xfinity, Spectrum, or Cox. It’s "free" in the sense that you’re already paying for it elsewhere.
What about YouTube? The official SNL YouTube channel is a goldmine. They’ve been uploading individual sketches from the special. If you just want to see the "Black Jeopardy!" revival or the Weekend Update segments, you can find them there for free.
However, you won't get the full flow of the night. You miss the weird transitions, the emotional montages, and the live energy that makes an anniversary special feel like an actual event.
What Most People Get Wrong About Hulu
There’s a lot of confusion here. You’ve probably used Hulu for years to catch SNL on Sunday mornings.
Not anymore.
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Since 2022, new SNL episodes—including the 50th specials—don't go to the standard Hulu library. They go straight to Peacock. The only way to watch on Hulu is if you have Hulu + Live TV. That gives you access to the NBC live feed and their on-demand "recordings," but it’s a lot more expensive than a basic Peacock sub.
International Fans and the VPN Factor
Watching from outside the U.S. is a headache. NBC is a domestic bird.
In Canada, StackTV and the Global TV app are usually your best bets for catching the 50th celebrations. They tend to mirror the NBC schedule.
If you're in the UK, Australia, or anywhere else, you’re likely staring at a "This video is not available in your country" message on YouTube. This is where people usually turn to a VPN. By setting your location to the U.S., you can log into a Peacock account you already have, or access certain free clips on the NBC site. Just keep in mind that Peacock requires a U.S.-based payment method to sign up.
The "Homecoming Concert" You Probably Missed
While everyone was talking about the February 16 special, there was another event: SNL50: The Homecoming Concert.
This was a massive live show at Radio City Music Hall on Valentine's Day. Mark Ronson and Lorne Michaels produced it. It featured a ridiculous lineup—Arcade Fire, Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, and even a surprise appearance by David Byrne.
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This was a Peacock exclusive. It never aired on the linear NBC channel. If you're hunting for where to watch SNL50 beyond Saturday night, this is the "hidden" gem you should actually be looking for. It’s a three-hour concert that feels more like a private party for the SNL family.
Quick Access Summary
- Peacock: The only place with the Special, the Docuseries, and the Music Doc.
- NBC.com: Good if you have a cable login.
- YouTube: Best for 5-minute clips and specific sketches.
- Hulu: Only works if you pay for the "Live TV" tier.
Is It Worth the Binge?
Look, 50 years is a long time. The special tries to cram a lot in. You’ve got Steve Martin and Martin Short hosting, which is always a win. You’ve got cameos from Ryan Reynolds to Cher.
The real value, though, isn't just the nostalgia. It’s seeing how the show survived the "pivotal" Season 11 or the 2024 election cycle. The documentaries give you that context. Watching a sketch from 1975 followed by one from 2025 shows you just how much—and how little—the DNA of the show has changed.
The docuseries Beyond Saturday Night actually spends time on the failures. It talks about the seasons that almost got the show canceled. That’s more interesting than just a highlight reel.
If you're ready to dive in, your first move is checking your Peacock status. If you don't have it, look for those "Winter Savings" codes that often float around this time of year—sometimes you can snag a year for thirty bucks. Once you're in, search for "SNL 50" and you'll see a dedicated hub with every piece of content mentioned here. Start with the Anniversary Special, then hit the Questlove music doc for the perfect weekend binge.