SNL Turns 50: How To Watch The Anniversary Special With DIRECTV

Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night Live’s 50th anniversary special! 

The iconic late-night sketch series is celebrating its huge milestone anniversary with a series of special TV events, including a four-episode docuseries and a celebration of SNL music, all culminating with a three-hour live primetime NBC special on Sunday, February 16. 

This watch guide will tell you everything you need to know about the SNL 50th Anniversary specials and how to watch with DIRECTV. Start by checking out the promo video below. 

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When is the SNL 50th Anniversary Special?

Changing things up a bit, the SNL 50th Anniversary Special will air on Sunday, February 16, 2025, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. PT. 

How to Watch the SNL 50th Anniversary Special

Watch SNL50: The Anniversary Special live on NBC or stream on Peacock on Sunday, February 16, 2025. Check your local listings to find your DIRECTV NBC channel. 

DIRECTV offersselectsubscribers a greatdeal, where you can get$3 a month off Peacock Premium (currently $7.99/mo.).Terms apply. Existing Peacock Premium and Premium Plus subscribers may need to take additional steps to redeem.

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Who Is Hosting the ‘SNL50: The Anniversary Special’? 

SNL hasn’t released an official host (or hosts) for the anniversary special. But if it’s anything like the 40th anniversary special, you can expect a star-studded reunion from some of SNL’s most iconic past hosts, musical guests, as well as current and former SNL cast members. 

List of SNL50 TV Events 

Get ready for an SNL celebration like you’ve never seen before. Check out the lineup of TV programming celebrating the 50-year anniversary:  

• Friday, January 16 – SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night Docuseries 
• Monday, January 27 – Ladies & Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music 
• Friday, February 14 – SNL50: The Homecoming Concert live at Radio City Music Hall 
• Sunday, February 16 – Live Red Carpet Event
• Sunday, February 16 – SNL50: The Anniversary Special 

Read below for more information on each TV event. 

‘SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night’ 

SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night is a four-part docuseries, which you can watch right now on Peacock with DIRECTV.  

The docuseries debuted on January 16, 2025, and gives an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look into SNL. Each episode focuses on a different part of SNL history, ranging from the audition process to the writers’ room to Will Ferrell’s and Christopher Walken’s iconic “More Cowbell” sketch and a look at “Season 11: The Weird Year.” 

Check out the trailer for SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night below. 

‘Ladies & Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music’

Ladies & Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music will air on Monday, January 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Watch with DIRECTV on NBC or stream the next day on Peacock. 

Led by award-winning filmmakers Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Oz Rodriguez, this documentary features over 50 interviews with some of the biggest music artists who have performed on SNL. Watch interviews with artists like Miley Cyrus, Mick Jagger, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Paul Simon, Justin Timberlake and so many more. Ladies & Gentlemen…50 Years of SNL Music will also feature interviews from SNL icons and former cast members, such as Lorne Michaels, Fred Armisen, Jimmy Fallon, Bill Hader, Eddie Murphy, Kenan Thompson, Maya Rudolph and many more. 

‘SNL50: The Homecoming Concert’ at Radio City Music Hall

The 50th anniversary weekend kicks off on Friday, February 14, with SNL50: The Homecoming Concert live from Radio City Music Hall. It will be airing exclusively on Peacock from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/5 p.m. to 8 p.m. PT. 

SNL50: The Homecoming Concert will feature some of the best artists and stand-ups that have appeared on SNL. And while we don’t know who will be performing, we do know that it’s going to be a must-watch event. 

‘SNL50: The Anniversary Special’ 

All of the celebrations culminate in a three-hour anniversary special on Sunday, February 16, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. PT on NBC and simulcast on Peacock. Can’t watch it live? Not to worry. You can watch SNL50: The Anniversary Special the next day on Peacock. 

Plus, tune in for a special one-hour red carpet event before the anniversary special at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. 

Who is in the Cast of SNL Season 50?

Over the past 50 years, SNL has launched the careers of some of the most talented comedians in the world. Check out the list of the current cast members on season 50. 

• Colin Jost 
• Michael Che
• Heidi Gardner 
• Kenan Thompson
• Chloe Fineman
• Marcello Hernández
• Sarah Sherman
• Mikey Day
• Bowen Yang 
• Ego Nwodim
• James Austin Johnson
• Andrew Dismukes 
• Michael Longfellow 
• Devon Walker
• Ashley Padilla 
• Emil Wakim
• Jane Wickline

Watch SNL Season 50 every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT on NBC or stream on Peacock. 

Watch ‘Saturday Night Live’ With DIRECTV

Don’t miss this historic SNL 50th Anniversary show on Sunday, February 16. Plus, you can stream all 50 seasons of SNL on Peacock with DIRECTV by connecting your Gemini device. And this is just the beginning. With DIRECTV, you have access to all your favorite TV shows, movies, sports and more. 

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